April is Volunteer Month and we would be remiss not to recognize all the amazing things our volunteers do for us, this month and always. As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA thrives off volunteer participation and engagement; they are the heart of our organization.
Every year we recognize specific volunteers at our Annual Celebration, and this year is no different. We have 14 different individuals and one committee we will honor for their service and commitment to their respective branches and the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. As an organization dedicated to Loving All and Serving All, these volunteers show their devotion to doing that every single day.
This year’s Red Triangle Award recipient is Dr. Oz Prim. The Red Triangle Award is the YMCA’s lifetime achievement recognition, and we are pleased to be able to honor Oz for his years of dedication to our YMCA.
Our Strong Award winners are:
Dino Quarantiello - Statesville
Rev. Dr. James H. Grant - Davie
Rose Wise - Robinhood Road
Rita Anthony - Yadkin
Sara Toney - Kernersville
Deborah Streeter - William G. White, Jr.
Kathy Hutchens - Jerry Long
Chuck Estes- Stokes
LeMya Smith - Wilkes
Ksenia Richards - YMCA Camp Hanes
Shakira Ballin - Alexander County
Saleema Beydoun - Sports
Dr. Karen Brown - Youth Development
The Patterson Avenue YMCA Centennial Celebration Committee - YMCA REACH Center at Winston Lake (pictured at right)
The reasons that these individuals freely give of their time are varied, but as an association, we are strengthened by their efforts. They care for their communities and work for the thriving of others, discovering purpose along the way. YMCA volunteers embody the words of Mother Teresa, who encouraged people to “give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.”
Beyond the individual honorees, I want to take a moment to salute a couple of volunteer groups that mean so much to our organization.
Their friendly faces and uplifting energy make every AOA gathering feel like home. From setting up and assisting with activities to ensuring a smooth experience, volunteers are essential in making AOA events successful. Volunteers also share valuable feedback and fresh ideas to enhance programming, which ranges from how to navigate the latest in technology to caregiver support to adaptive exercise.
As our team at the Wilkes Family YMCA prepares to welcome thousands of Merlefest attendees, they rely heavily on volunteers to assist in the operation of the Rivers Edge campground. Merlefest, an annual festival celebrating "traditional plus" music, a mix of bluegrass, old-time, folk, country, blues, and more, serves as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. For four days every year on the last weekend in April, the Wilkes Family YMCA and Rivers Edge campground become home to several thousand people who attend Merlefest.
Our staff and volunteers welcome campers to Rivers Edge, all the while answering questions, selling ice and wood, and facilitating a fantastic experience and sharing impeccable hospitality. Last year, the Wilkes Family YMCA utilized 29 volunteers during the festival, including members of our own Y staff!
Advocacy - Leveraging relationships for good - for ALL
Volunteers are essential in advocating for their communities at all levels. Locally, they help build relationships with community leaders and represent the YMCA's mission to local governments. By participating in outreach programs and collaborating with regional partners, volunteers support initiatives like youth sports, healthy living, and affordable childcare, ensuring the YMCA’s programs are accessible to those who need them most.
On a state and national scale, volunteers raise awareness through advocacy campaigns, attending conferences, and engaging in online advocacy to amplify the YMCA’s impact. By sharing personal stories and supporting policy changes, they help shape the future of community health, social equity, and education. They also embody the principles of the organization—caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility—while engaging in conversations about the importance of access to services, helping others understand why supporting such programs is critical for community well-being.
Whether locally or nationally, volunteers are the voices of the YMCA, promoting access to critical services and creating lasting change for all. Having just attended state and national advocacy events in Raleigh and Washington over the last month with key volunteers and staff members, I am proud of the work that we are doing at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina to drive change and care for our neighbors in need.