Who We Are...

Our Board of Directors and Governance Committee is comprised of volunteer members who are dedicated to the Mission & Vision of Wellness G.I.F.T.S.. The Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of the Executive Director and, overall, the Retreat Weekends.

If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors or becoming a Committee Member, please send a letter of interest and your resume to Chris Yarnal.

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Janet Opila-Lehman
Founder

Walking down Mitchellesville Rd. in Bath, NY. 20 years ago, Janet Opila-Lehman, ND, OTL., kept thinking, “What do my families who have special needs kids need?”  The idea was born to set up camping retreats which provide GIFTS to the parents and their kids, ie. Give Inspiration For The Soul!  The rest is history…​

Janet is the Founder of Wellness G.I.F.T.S., and has been the Director, an Assistant, a Fund Raiser, a Volunteer Recruiter and Trainer…and currently serves as the President of the Board. In her “other life” she is a Naturopathic Doctor and Occupational Therapist down in Asheville, NC.  Janet loves to see the families and the community members get together and share their stories, their challenges and their compassion for each other.
Angie Longwell
 

Terri has been involved with Wellness G.I.F.T.S. as a Panel member since 2000. She joined the Governance Board in 2013. Terri brings to G.I.F.T.S. a wealth of knowledge from her many years as a Special Educator. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York. She has a great love for special needs children and has enjoyed watching her students grow both academically and socially during her years of teaching.
Dawn Loeffler
 
My name is Dawn Loeffler. I am one of the newer Board members to Wellness G.I.F.T.S. 
I am the Manager of Quality Programs at CHHUNY which is a Health Home organization which links children and their families to needed services such as food, shelter, medical and behavioral health services to name a few.
In 2017, I completed my Master's Degree in Health Service Administration. I am a mother of three grown children and my youngest is developmentally disabled. 
My education, work experience and family are beneficial in assisting the Board in direction, guidance and suggestions.
Marcia Hall
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Marcia Hall has served as an Executive Director at a local nonprofit service organization since 2008. She first encountered Wellness GIFTS in 2004 when her oldest son volunteered. His positive experience made a lasting impression.  Marcia joined the Board of Wellness GIFTS in March of 2018. Marcia has been happily married to her husband for 34 years and has two adult children, as well as two granddaughters. She resides in Bath, NY.