Sussex YMCA honors volunteers and donors

Inspirational speeches, soft music, tasty food and good company set the scene for the 2010 Strong Kids Campaign Thank You Dinner, hosted by the Sussex Family YMCA
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On Nov. 18, more than 90 volunteers, donors, collaborators and YMCA members gathered in the Rehoboth Country Club ballroom for dinner and an award ceremony, emceed by Lisa Bryant of WBOC–TV.

“To me, the Strong Kids Campaign is the most important program in the YMCA,” said Jack Booker, executive director of Downtown YMCAs in Wilmington.

Guest speakers Booker, Sussex instructor Jane Segal and Sussex member William Michael Bowe shared heartfelt stories of how the association has made a difference in their lives. For Booker, the Y was a childhood safe haven; for Segal, it brought happiness and health; for Bowe, it is the reason he became a Special Olympics champion.

“Being in sports takes a lot of work, and every day we try to go the distance,” Bowe said, showing the audience medals he earned in China’s fifth Special Olympics and his 2010 Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award from the Delaware Special Olympics Night of Heroes ceremony.

“This is by far one of my favorite events with the YMCA of Delaware,” said speaker Jim Kelly, vice president of operations for YMCA of Delaware. Kelly said between the good conversation and join effort for the campaign, one cannot help but feel good after leaving the annual Thank You Dinner.

The Strong Kids Campaign provides financial assistance to children and families who otherwise would not be able to take part in YMCA programs. The campaign raised more than $110,000 this year.

“If we asked all the donors and volunteers to stand tonight, there would be no one sitting down,” said Executive Director Terry Rasberry. He gave gifts to phone-a-thon volunteers and recognized Barbara Crowl as the association’s volunteer of the year.

Also honored were Meyer Persow and Joel Simon, who were given Service to Youth Awards. Basketball coach and Spring Marathon volunteer Gary Cannon was presented with the YMCA Spirit Award by last year’s winner, Bill Schab.

“The Y finds the best talent for their volunteers,” Schab said.

The first Van Sciver Leadership Award was presented to Jack Stevenson for his outstanding leadership, love and commitment to the YMCA.

Stevenson is a longtime volunteer, board member, committee chairman and friend of Virginia Van Sciver, who presented the award, and her late husband, Don.

“It’s so great to be a part of this beautiful community,” Van Sciver said.