Xenia Y Announces Volunteer of the Year
Xenia Y Announces Volunteer of the Year
Mary Stevens received award of appreciation
[Dayton, OH 3/23/11] The YMCA of Greater Dayton held its 140th Annual Meeting at the David H. Ponitz Center at Sinclair in Dayton recently. The event raised over $19,000 for the YMCAs annual Strong Kids Campaign. The event consisted of a silent auction, dinner and a program where volunteers and staff were recognized for their contributions to the success of the YMCA of Greater Dayton.
Mary Stevens was awarded the Xenia Ys Volunteer of the Year. She has been involved in martial arts for over 30 years. It all started when her son, 9 at the time, wanted to take karate. She wanted to make sure he was not being taught values contrary to what she and her husband had already instilled so she took the class with him. Mary continued on and studied under Jeff Hughes, a former police officer, who started the class at the Xenia Y in 1979. In 2000, she thought she was filling in for an instructor while he was away. After two years of filling in, her sensei shared with her that it was her class and had been for some time. Although it was a bit of an eye opener, she gladly accepted. She has been volunteering ever since. She purposely established the minimum age for her class based on the cut off for child watch so all children could have something to do. Mary is a highly skilled and respected instructor and a great asset to us.
Mary is a hero to the Xenia YMCA.
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About the Y
The Y is one of the nations leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children regardless of age, income or background to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nations health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org