The YMCA of Greater Kansas City honored its wonderful, hard working volunteers during Spirit of Service on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Harrah's Kansas City.
The event highlighted the impact of the more than 2,400 Y volunteers who worked throughout the Kansas City metro to give more than 29,000 hours of volunteer service in the past year. More than 300 volunteers attended the celebration, which included dinner, fellowship and an awards ceremony.
"Volunteers are the stars of our organization," YMCA of Greater Kansas City Chief Volunteer Officer Dr. Michelle Robin said at the ceremony. "It's an honor to celebrate the gifts of time and talent you give to the community."
Spirit of Service awards were presented to 25 volunteers to recognize their impact and dedication to the Y's cause of strengthening the community.
The night concluded with the presentation of the Eagle Award and Henry M. Beardsley Board Service Award.
The Eagle Award for excellence in philanthropy went to the Cleaver Family YMCA for raising more than $56,599 this year, exceeding their goal by nearly $1,000. Accepting the award on behalf of the Cleaver Y's fundraising team was Executive Director Tami Carolan and Community Mission Board Member Aaron Lukken.
The Henry M. Beardsley Board Service Award goes to a board member who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to lead the Y. The second annual award went posthumously to Frank Kirk, who passed away in September and left an amazing legacy of service.
"Frank was a dedicated YMCA of Greater Kansas City board member and former Chief Volunteer Officer," YMCA of Greater Kansas City President and CEO Mark Hulet said at the ceremony. "His journey with the YMCA began in 1988 when he joined the Board of Directors. Over the past 36 years, his leadership in annual, endowment and capital fundraising campaigns helped raise millions of dollars in support of the Y's mission to strengthen the community. His contributions of time, talent and treasure had an exponential impact."
Accepting the award on behalf of Frank were his wife, Nancy Kirk, alongside their daughter, Natalie Kirk Welch, and her husband, J.C. Welch.
Check out event photos! --> YMCA Spirit of Service 2024
2024 Spirit of Service Award Winners
- Robin and Josh Gaddis, YMCA Challenger Program
- Victoria Guerra, YMCA Challenger Program
- Bryan Reeves, YMCA Challenger Program
- Terri Hickman, Cleaver Family YMCA
- Shari and Bill Kennedy, Cleaver Family YMCA
- Palmer Mason, Cleaver Family YMCA
- Cameron Price, Cleaver Family YMCA
- Chely Scarbrough, Cleaver Family YMCA
- Cleaver Family YMCA Community Mission Board: Ron Gordon, Brenda Pelofsky, Aaron Lukken, Lloyd Kissick, Brynn Brichet, Rachel Audsley
- Lisa Campbell, Reading Rocket: Family Literacy Outreach, Head Start
- Kirk Troxel, Northland Head Start
- Bill Gibson, Platte County Community Center North
- John Smith, Platte County Master Gardeners, Platte County Community Center South
- Rich Groves, North Kansas City YMCA
- Sharon Keller, Olathe Family YMCA
- Kevin Porter, Youth Sports
- Jim Hawkins, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center
- Tom Hufford, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center
- Danielle Phillips, Wyandotte County Mission Board
- Suzie Schartz, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center
- Eric Wright, KC Kona Ice, Youth Development Services
Eagle Award
Cleaver Family YMCA
Henry M. Beardsley Board Service Award
Frank Kirk
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