The YMCA of Coastal Georgia held its 163rd Annual Meeting and launched the 2018 Annual Campaign, I am the Y, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the Andaz Hotel in Historic Downtown Savannah, Georgia. With nearly 200 YMCA staff, Board Members and community leaders in attendance, the annual meeting celebrated the recent work and impact of the Y the recognition of three outstanding volunteers and a powerful keynote address from Marjorie Young of Carriage Trade PR.
 
The business portion of the meeting focused on recapping the recent work of the Y along with looking ahead to the future, the nomination of new volunteer leaders and a salute to exceptional volunteers. The Y also shared an exciting intention for the growth and development of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia.
 
“Today I am sharing with you our YMCAs intent to seek out an opportunity to bring the Y back home to the storied streets of downtown Savannah,” shared Allan Reynolds, Chairman, YMCA of Coastal Georgia Board of Directors. “We don’t have a set location. We don’t have the resources yet, nor have we engaged willing and able partners, but we will and we want to.”
 
This meeting also served as a launch to their 2018 Annual Campaign; I am the Y, with the most ambitious goal to date. The Y aims to raise $799,000 to continue to invest back into our communities across Coastal Georgia. To date, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia has already raised 27% of their goal, with the public phase of the campaign officially launching now. Along with the financial goals of the campaign, the I am the Y campaign aims to inspire and build a culture of philanthropy within our communities.
 
Funds raised through the annual campaign are reinvested back into our communities by supporting innovative programming like Y Readers and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, and ensuring that no one is ever turned away from the Y, regardless of their age, ethnicity or background.  In 2017, the YMCA of Coastal provided $3,222,508 in community benefit to provide programs, services and support to our communities.
 
Among the order of business of the morning was the nomination and acceptance of incoming Corporate Board of Directors elected new or returning; Bill Anderson, Matt Barrow, Andy Brodmann, Morris Brown, Kelly Corey, Houstoun Demere, Jenny Gentry, Jeff Heeder, and Julian Lewis.
 
They are joined by the following volunteer leadership at the YMCA of Coastal Georgia branches:
 
At the Effingham Branch, Yancy Ford was added to the Board of Management.
 
At the Golden Isles Branch, Brenda McCollum was added to the Board of Management.
 
At the Habersham Branch, Belinda Baptiste, Robert Milie, Mark Miller, David Pence, John Pufahl, and Carmen Young were added to the Board of Management.
 
At the Islands Branch, Ian Ehrhardt, Kyle Garrison and Joey Rudder were added to the Board of Management.
 
At the Statesboro Family Branch, Charlotte Edwards, Lauren Fortenberry, Charlie Marrucco, Elena McClendon, Bob Mikell, Nick Propps, Kendria Lee, Ronald Love, Erin Smith, Steve Weech and Randy Wetmore were added to the Board of Management.
 
At the Tybee Island Branch, Cindy Orr was added to the Board of Management.
 
At the West Chatham branch, Andraya Mimms, Gregory Toney and Jasmine Woods were added to the Board of Management.
 
The Y also recognized three outstanding individuals who went above and beyond the duties of a YMCA volunteer this past year.  This year’s Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to Iris Stein, Diana Morrison, and Bob Mikell. These volunteers were recognized specifically for their extensive commitment to the growth, development and success of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia.