April is National Volunteer Month
Celebrating Our Volunteers: The Heartbeat of the YMCA Community
As April arrives, so does a special occasion close to our hearts: National Volunteer Month. At the YMCA, we’re thrilled to dedicate this time to honor the incredible individuals who selflessly give their time, energy, and passion to make our community thrive.
Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the YMCA, embodying our values of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty in every task they undertake. From coaching youth sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, and even our beloved run club, to administrative duties, event committees, marketing initiatives, membership support, and beyond, our volunteers are the backbone of our organization.
When you step onto the court with our youth sports coaches, you’re not just learning the game – you’re gaining valuable life skills like teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Whether it’s teaching a child the fundamentals of dribbling a basketball or cheering them on as they score their first goal in soccer, our volunteers are nurturing the potential within each and every participant.
But it doesn’t stop there. Behind the scenes, our administrative volunteers ensure that everything runs smoothly, from coordinating schedules to managing paperwork, so that our programs can operate seamlessly. Meanwhile, our event committees work tirelessly to create memorable experiences that bring our community together, whether it’s a fundraiser, And our membership volunteers? They’re the friendly faces that greet you when you walk through our doors, making you feel welcome and valued from the moment you arrive.
But perhaps most importantly, our volunteers embody the spirit of hope and determination. They believe in the power of community to create positive change, and they’re willing to roll up their sleeves and work tirelessly to make that vision a reality.
So, as we celebrate National Volunteer Month, let’s take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of our volunteers. You are the heart and soul of the YMCA, and we are endlessly thankful for your dedication, kindness, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place, one act of service at a time.
Together, we are unstoppable. Together, we are the YMCA. Happy National Volunteer Month!
Peggy B. has been sharing her passion for swimming at our Y for over 50 years. “I am patient and I share my love of the water with my students.” Her favorite part of volunteering is seeing a student overcome their fear of water and becoming relaxed in the water.
For Sophia B., volunteering isn’t just about developing swimmers but emphasizing values such as integrity, responsibility, and sportsmanship. “I like being there for them,” she explains. “It’s exciting to see how the swimmers improve throughout the season. I never imagined I’d be on the swim team or even volunteering,” she admits with a smile. But the welcoming atmosphere and camaraderie she experienced as a young swim team member inspired her to be that person for someone else.
Kim T. enthusiastically volunteered to help out in the Y’s Rock Steady Boxing following a call for assistance made by Jeanne Scaccia during a Body Pump class last Fall. Having witnessed firsthand the impact of Parkinson’s disease through her mother’s journey, Kim felt an immediate connection to the cause. “When Jeannie asked for a volunteer, I knew it was meant for me,” Kim shared. Having retired from education in 2020 to care for her mother, it was a perfect opportunity to give back to the community following her mother’s passing, and the Y and Rock Steady, provided the perfect fit.
Luke T. volunteers as a youth basketball coach and says his favorite part is “Youth development and showing players what they can be, what they can achieve. Building cohesiveness and playing the game the right way to set them up for success at the next level…and especially having my daughters compete with the boys!
