The YMCA of the Chesapeake held its 64th Annual Celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Although it was a rainy night, the mood inside was uplifting and filled with excitement, inspired by the Y’s theme of “Magnify the Work of the Y”. Each speaker, award winner and over 260 guests were presented with the important work the Y engages in, invited to be a part of it, and encouraged to go out and tell our story.
Paul Berry, Y board member and retired news anchor, emceed the evening’s festivities. Dick Bodorff, YMCA Chief Volunteer Officer, shared three important numbers. “The YMCA of the Chesapeake has over 27,000 members, this year we awarded 1.2 million dollars in scholarship funds and 12,422 individuals were served through those scholarship funds by becoming members or participating in programs at the Y”. Robbie Gill spoke of the work we do at the Y. “We share and celebrate with each other, but we need to bring more people into the circle. How do we magnify the work of the Y? We need to share our stories.”
New programs were celebrated. Nick Papson and Nancy Norman-Van Schaik shared Pickleball, the game that can be played by any age and any ability. With over 250 pickleball players involved with the Y across the Shore, it is the YMCA of the Chesapeake’s fastest growing program. Nate Moore, Easton High School freshman, shared his experiences of Take the Helm, a new boat building program for teens in Easton. Take the Helm participants are building relationships and learning life skills while building a boat that is set to launch off of Easton Point on June 23. Wendy Palmer, new Operations Director for the Y on Washington Street in Easton, announced that an anonymous donor has given a matching gift to the Y on Washington. This person has pledged to match donations up to a total of $25,000, and can be used to invest in upgrading the facility. Kerry Foxwell, Director of Major Gifts, spoke of an anonymous donor who has an opportunity for the Y. “A gift of $100,000 has been donated and you are invited to take part in it. If you are a new donor, a current member of the Y, and your gift is at least $100 it will be matched up to $1,000”.
Dick Bodorff also specially recognized some of our outstanding volunteers. Tom Evans, Mark Welsh, Len Foxwell, David Nagel and Blenda Armistead were recognized for their outstanding service with the YMCA of the Chesapeake. Tyler Patton, YMCA board member shared his experience of becoming a volunteer. The timeline from his Y experiences as a child, to becoming a board member, to realizing he had some health goals to accomplish and finding true friends. The magical evening wound down with Paul Berry saying “I challenge you tonight, let’s go out there and magnify the work of the Y. Let’s get more people involved in this amazing charity and use it to strengthen the communities we are so fortunate to call home”.
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