For Immediate Release

Contact: Rachael Mainord, Marketing and Communications Director
Phone Number: 937.223.5201
Fax Number: 937.223.3997

South YMCA Announces 2004 Volunteer of the Year

March 16, 2004- The YMCA of Greater Dayton recently held its 133rd Annual Meeting at the Schuster Center in Dayton. The event raised close to $17,000 for the YMCA’s annual Strong Kids Campaign. The event consisted of a silent auction with over 300 items, dinner and a program. Volunteers and staff were both recognized for their contributions to the success of the YMCA of Greater Dayton.

During the program, the South YMCA recognized Peggy Neff as their 2004 Volunteer of the Year. Peggy is a lifetime board member at the South YMCA. Over the course of the last few years, Peggy has provided her creative talents to the South YMCA by helping to make the silent auction a huge success, being involved in the annual golf outing, being a member of the membership committee, and by contributing to South’s membership retention plans. In September of 2003, Peggy’s leadership was instrumental in helping develop the most successful family celebration ever held at the South YMCA, bringing in over 500 people to celebrate their new facility renovations. It is easy to see why Peggy was asked several years ago to become a lifetime member of the South YMCA board of advisors. It would be difficult to imagine life at the YMCA without her!

South YMCA also recognized Skye O’Beollain as the Youth Volunteer of the Year. This contagiously enthusiastic 9 year old has more than made a name for herself at the South YMCA. Skye started at the YMCA by learning to swim and participating in youth sports. Not long after her mother joined our staff, Skye decided that she would learn how to make membership cards for our new members, including taking their picture and scanning their card when they return the next day to work out. Last year, Skye spoke to numerous businesses in the community and secured several donations for our silent auction. She often raises money for various causes and encourages others to do the same. In many respects, Skye is a celebrity at the South YMCA and continues to spread cheer and energy to all of those who visit and work in the South facility!