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Out of This World: 2018 Spirit of Service Volunteer Celebration

YMCA of Greater Kansas City
November 12, 2018
Out of This World: 2018 Spirit of Service Volunteer Celebration

The eighth annual Spirit of Service celebration on November 8, 2018, recognized the powerful commitment and service of volunteers throughout the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.

More than 400 volunteers, members, program participants, supporters and Y friends gathered at Overland Park Convention Center for an evening of fellowship, dinner and an awards program honoring top volunteers.

This special evening was made possible thanks to our event partners KCP&L, Tivity Health, Lathrop and Gage, Hillyard, and JE Dunn. Event hosts were CiCi Rojas, Chief Volunteer Officer for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and David Byrd, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.

As part of the awards program, they highlighted the impact of the more than 2,800 Y volunteers who worked throughout the region to give more than 31,580 hours of volunteer service in the past year.

"What a difference you are all making every day in our community,” Byrd said. “Everything Y volunteers do is in service of making individuals and our community stronger.”

AWARD RECIPIENTS 2018

Congratulations to all recognized this year! 

KIRK FAMILY PHILANTHROPY AWARD

  • Kent Sunderland, Sunderland Foundation

EAGLE AWARD

Wyandotte County Annual Campaign Team:

  • Craig Gaffney

  • Mike Burns

  • John Tiszka

  • Don Ash

  • Jimmy Gaona

  • Bill Dunn, Jr.

  • Sam Allred

  • Nikki Romolo

  • Kelly Chamberlain

  • Gordon Criswell

  • Bill Walberg

  • John Bakarich

  • John Tiszka

Paul Henson Family YMCA Annual Campaign Team:

  • Clay Coburn

  • Joe Meyrs

  • John Houts

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND GLOBAL AWARD

  • CiCi Rojas

  • Madeline Romious

TIVITY HEALTH ACTIVE OLDER ADULT VOLUNTEER AWARDS

  • Doris Peterson, Platte County Community Center North operated by the YMCA

  • Glen Humphreys, Platte County Community Center South operated by the YMCA

  • Nina Vickers, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

  • John Park, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

  • Marsha Kirkendoll, Children’s Center Campus YMCA Early Learning Center

COMMUNITY OUTREACH VOLUNTEER AWARDS

  • Paul Prue, Blue Springs Family YMCA

  • Linda Horvath, Bonner Springs Family YMCA

  • Helen Keller, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

  • Debbie Sloan, Platte County Community Center South
  • Charity Testerman, Northland Head Start

  • Debra and Robert Ford, Providence Family YMCA

LATHROP GAGE COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARDS

  • Atchison Community Health Clinic represented by Stevie Durkin, Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center

  • Nikki Romolo, Bonner Springs Family YMCA

  • Grantham University represented by Candice Haines, Olathe Family YMCA

  • Shawn Turner, Olathe Family YMCA

  • Turner School District represented by Superintendent Jason Dandoy, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

  • Partners in Primary Care represented by Lauren Jilek, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

  • Olathe School District represented by Mike Flenthrope, YMCA Youth Development Services

  • UAW Local 249 represented by Terri Hall, YMCA Head Start

  • Rebecca Allison, Quality Hill Family YMCA

KCP&L YOUTH MENTOR AWARDS

  • Kelly King, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Program

  • Darron Howell, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Program

MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM VOLUNTEER AWARDS

  • Trish Fitzsimmons, YMCA of Greater Kansas City Association Resource Center

  • Roberto Castillo, North Kansas City YMCA

  • Megan White, Olathe Family YMCA

  • Joe Myers, Paul Henson Family YMCA

  • John Houts, Paul Henson Family YMCA

  • Craig Gaffney, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center

  • Pam Houston, Young Achievers

HILLYARD YOUTH SPORTS VOLUNTEER AWARDS

  • Maggie Wilkinson, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Program

  • Anna Egan, Cleaver Family YMCA

  • Drew Etheridge, Olathe Family YMCA

  • Ryan Curtis, Paul Henson Family YMCA

  • Stacey Archer, Red Bridge Family YMCA

  • Tori Blake, Bonner Springs Family YMCA

YOUTH VOLUNTEER AWARDS

  • Molly Lombardi, Cleaver Family YMCA

  • Tyler McCoach, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Program

  • Precious Williams, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center

EVENT PHOTOS

Explore photos from the event, including award winner photos.

GET INVOLVED

Are you inspired to make a difference by volunteering? Whether you would like to help with a special event or sign up to coach a youth sports team, there are lots of ways to volunteer at the Y. Explore upcoming volunteer opportunities through our volunteer Project Catalog.

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