The seventh annual Spirit of Service celebration on November 16, 2017, recognized the powerful commitment and service of volunteers throughout the YMCA of Greater Kansas City.

More than 600 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 Tivity Health, KCP&L and Hillyard.

Event hosts were Chris Kurtz, Chief Volunteer Officer for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and a representative of KCP&L, 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 3,000 Y volunteers who worked throughout the region to give more than 51,000 hours of volunteer service in the past year.

"What an amazing number, what an amazing impact that our volunteers have on this city," Kurtz said.

Byrd said one of things he loves most about the Y is being able to serve alongside volunteers.

"Listening to their stories of engagement, passion and dedication to serve others was humbling to say the least," he said after the event. "Collectively, our volunteers provide thousands of hours of selfless service, striving to make a difference in the lives of so many throughout the greater Kansas City community every day." 

Award Recipients 2017

Congratulations to all recognized this year! 

Hero of the Heart Award

• Truman Medical Center

Kirk Family Philanthropy Award

• Rick Berger, Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center

Fundraisers of the Year

• John Tiszka, Wyandotte County Annual Campaign
• Bill Dunn, Jr., Wyandotte County Annual Campaign

Eagle Award

Wyandotte County Annual Campaign Team:

• Bill Dunn, Jr.
• Bill Hutton
• Bill Walberg
• Charley Vogt
• Jeanne Siebert
• Joe Conner
• John Tiszka
• Kathie Conwell
• Leslie Layton
• Mike Burns
• Nikki Romolo
• Richard Clark
• Sonja Luke

Tivity Health Active Older Adult Volunteer Awards

• Christine Fanty, Bonner Springs Family YMCA 
• Rich Hathaway, Olathe Family YMCA 
• Pat Burns, Paul Henson Family YMCA 
• Jan Wolbrecht, Platte County Community Center North operated by the YMCA 
• Judy Hurlbert, Platte County Community Center South operated by the YMCA

Community Outreach Volunteer Awards

• COR+, represented by Allyssa Patterson, Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center
• Valerie Johnson, Cleaver Family YMCA
• Melanie Glassman, Olathe Family YMCA
• Alfredo Lopez, YMCA Youth Development Services

Community Partner Awards

• Jerry Jones, 8th Street Family YMCA
• Live Well, Live Atchison, represented by Andrea Clements, Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center
• Patricia Adams, Burlington YMCA Head Start
• Nelson Atkins Museum of Art represented by Christine Boutros, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center
• Richard Groves with North Kansas City Business Council, North Kansas City YMCA
• April Almahdawi, Northland YMCA Head Start
• Olathe Health, represented by Frank Devocelle, Olathe Family YMCA
• KVC Health Systems, represented by Jason Hooper, Olathe Family YMCA
• Oak Ridge Baptist Church and Errol Cade, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center
• Kathie Conwell, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center
• Platte County, Missouri, represented by Commissioners Ron Schieber and John Elliot, and Parks Director Daniel Erickson

KCP&L Youth Mentor Awards

• Daniel Hill, 8th Street Family YMCA
• Dan Santee, Paul Henson Family YMCA

Membership and Program Volunteer Awards

• Jeanne Siebert, Bonner Springs Family YMCA
• Samantha Belcher, Columbus Park YMCA Head Start
• Natalie Kirk, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center
• Patrick Klote, Olathe Family YMCA
• Kay Blond, Paul Henson Family YMCA
• Marcella Newell, Platte County COmmunity Center North

Hillyard Youth Sports Volunteer Awards

• Sean Crittendon, Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center
• Chip Glidden, Blue Wave Swim Team
• Jeff Burke, Bonner Springs Family YMCA
• Shawn Pryor, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Programs
• William Robinson, Cleaver Family YMCA
• Black McMahon, Red Bridge Family YMCA
• Terry BLue, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center
• Tyran Jackson, Liwnood YMCa/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center
• Uche Ikeme, Northland YMCA Sports
• Andy Warren, Paul Henson Family YMCA
• Craig Lawler, Red Bridge Family YMCA

Youth Volunteer Awards

• Laila Haney, Bonner Springs Family YMCA
• Bella Atchley, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Program
• Kaitlyn Keller, YMCA Challenger/Adaptive Program
• Coco Drane, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center
• Addison Ramsey, Olathe Family YMCA
• Amiel Green, Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center
• Julia Slack, Youth Volunteer Corps

Spirit of Service Awards

• Johna Hays, Blue Springs Family YMCA
• Amy Hernandez Zoellner, Cleaver Family YMCA
• Samantha Belcher, Columbus Park YMCA Head Start
• Carla Mason, Liberty YMCA Head Start
• Roberto Castillo, North Kansas City YMCA
• Melanie Glassman, Olathe Family YMCA
• Rachel Derges, Park Hill YMCA Head Start
• Mary Sortland, Platte County Community Center North
• Mike Burns, Wyandotte County YMCAs

Event Photos

Explore photos from the event, including award winner photos, in our album on Google 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.