The YMCA of Coastal Georgia held its 164^th Annual Meeting and launched the 2019 Annual Campaign, For a better us, on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at the Ralph M. Gilbert Civil Rights Museum 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 Brian Hussey of Bank South and the Low Country Down Syndrome Society. 

The business portion of the meeting recapped 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 overall message of the day was one of vision and impact, specifically how the Y continues to address critical needs in our service areas to leave lasting impact.

This meeting also served as a launch to the 2019 Annual Campaign; For a Better us, with the most ambitious goal to date. The Y aims to raise $805,000 to continue to invest back into our communities across Coastal Georgia. To date, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia has already raised 25% of their goal through the generous support of staff and volunteers. The public phase of the campaign has officially begun with the announcement of the goal. Along with the financial goals of the campaign, the for a better us 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 2018, 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 during the meeting was the nomination and acceptance of incoming Corporate Board of Directors elected new or returning; Gregori Anderson, Lee Beckmann, Jeff Heeder, Stacy Jennings, David Mason, Lenard Massey, Frank Pennington II, Iraj Shambayati, Lamar Smith, Michael Traynor, and Matt West.

They are joined by the following volunteer leadership at the YMCA of Coastal Georgia branches:

At the Effingham Branch, Carl Arnsdorff, Dr. Tracy Durham, Gladys Smalls, and Brian Van Ness  were added to the Board of Management.

At the Golden Isles Branch, Richard Hathaway, and Ciera Womack were added to the Board of Management.

At the Habersham Branch, Catalina Garcia-Quick, Richard Kevin Jackson, Jr., and E. Gay Mayfield were added to the Board of Management.

At the Islands Branch, Ericka Backus, Nick Greene, and Chris Nowicki were added to the Board of Management.

At the Liberty County/ Armed Services branch, Andy Bennett, Ronald Cobb, Laton Gilroy, Randy Mayfield, and Kevin Remillard were added t the Board of Management.

At the Statesboro Family Branch, Chris Gohagan, Esq., and Michael Summers, Sr. 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 Karen Branson, Jason Pridgen and Carmen Young. These volunteers were recognized specifically for their extensive commitment to the growth, development and success of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia.

To learn more about how you can support the Y’s cause, please contact Rachel Meuser Bowman, at 912-354-5480 or [email protected]. You can also make a gift and find out more about our work by visiting www.ymcaofcoastalga.org/yforall.