Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Y. Essential in fulfilling our promise to strengthen community, Y volunteers help us innovate to provide relevant responses to the communities’ ever changing needs. They strengthen our leadership by serving on our boards. They build our capacity to serve by leading our annual and capital campaigns. They transform lives by serving as leaders in Y facilities and out in the community.
Each year our YMCAs recognize a select few for their outstanding contributions of time and talent to improve the lives of our youth, adults, families.
Central YMCA is honored to recognize the following volunteers for their dedication and service to our community. We are a stronger YMCA thanks to your efforts!
Noah and Ben Castle - 2022 Changemaker Award
Brothers Noah and Ben learned basketball in Central YMCA’s league growing up. But basketball is so much more than a sport for these brothers, it’s a lifestyle, bringing life lessons and building leadership skills. Now they bring these incredible abilities - along with their team spirit - to coaching young people on and off the court. Currently wrapping up their second coaching season, basketball helped them and their teammates endure a global pandemic…together. Noah and Ben make sure everyone gets their time on the court and help them each grow and develop skills as players, teammates, and young people. Noah and Ben are a team in themselves with their smiles, encouraging words, and mindsets. Young players learn from their example as much as their coaching.
Helen Hall - 2022 Distinguished Service Award
Helen, a longtime Central Y member, is known as “Mayor Hall” at Central. She actively participates in new classes, serves as a Y ambassador for new members, and this year, worked as a volunteer fundraiser for our annual campaign. Helen’s passion for our Y was evident in the success she had as a fundraiser. She worked her personal networks to share the Y story and the importance of our financial aid programs. She was able to raise more than triple her goal in her first year as a fundraiser, allowing the Y to serve even more vulnerable community members. Staff often introduce Helen to new members, knowing she will help them feel connected and create a sense of belonging in group exercise classes. Helen is a perfect example of the power of volunteerism and her story is demonstrative of how the impact of the Y increases with the passion of our volunteers.