The Effingham YMCA announced it exceeded its annual campaign goal as part of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s 160th annual meeting.
The annual meeting was held March 24 at The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum.
The business portion of the evening focused on recapping the recent work of the Y along with looking ahead to the future, the nomination of new volunteer leaders and a salute to retiring board members, exceptional volunteers and staff.
The Effingham YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, raised a total of $63,670, exceeding the branch’s original goal of $63,000. The YMCA’s annual campaign raised $716,505. The money raised goes toward such efforts as the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, allowing an active soldier to be a part of the Wounded Warriors Program and giving an individual the chance to live healthier lives.
In 2014, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia provided the communities it served with a total community benefit of $3,384,457. This includes direct financial assistance provided to over 34,000 people who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy YMCA programs or memberships.
Among the order of business of the evening was the exchange of the gavel from the former corporate board chair, David Mason of Lorwill Land Corporation, to the new chair, Gregori Anderson of Chatham County Building Safety. Anderson, whose term began at the annual meeting, will be the active board chair until 2017.
He joins the slate of incoming corporate board of directors elected new or returning: Matthew Barrow, Andy Brodmann, Houstoun Demere, Jenny Gentry, Pastor Herb Hubbard, the Honorable Mary Kathryn Moss, Allan Reynolds and Melody Rodriguez-Ortiz.
At the Effingham branch, Jim Everett, Kelly Leonard, Erin Phillips and Joyce Wright-Eason were added to the board of management.
The event activities included a special presentation honoring YMCA of Coastal Georgia CEO Randy Bugos. Bugos was recognized for his 42 years of service to the YMCA prior to his retirement, effective April 1.
“Randy’s leadership and vision has been instrumental to the wonderful growth and success that our local Ys have experienced the last two-and-a-half decades. The Y is now as strong as it has ever been and serves more people than any time in its 159-year history,” said Mason. “Our entire YMCA family and the communities we serve owe him heartfelt thanks for all that he has done and the legacy he leaves behind.”
