Lake Co. YMCA honors volunteers at annual meeting

The Lake County Family YMCA recognized 14 volunteers for their active role in bringing about meaningful change in their community.“The Lake County Family YMCA is one of the community's leading nonprofits committed to helping people to learn, grow and thrive,” said President & CEO Lynda Chott at the Nov. 17 annual meeting at the Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan.Chott added, “We're more than gym and swim. The Lake County Family YMCA is an experience defined by the creation of relationships. The key to our success is relationships.”Member Phil Byrd, a deacon at Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Zion, offered the devotion and talked about his relationship with the Y.“The Y is the only place I'd rather be other than church. This place helped save my life. I love the Y . . . This is a safe, needed place,” Byrd said. He challenged the crowd of about 50 to continue giving back to the community. “If we don't, who will?”Board Chair Bob Taylor said that one of the association's highlights of the past year included creating a new strategic plan that focuses on three main points: financial stability, increased membership growth and increased visibility. He also noted that the association will celebrate its centennial in 2012.Taylor said, “Our values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility remain constant though our branding has changed. And our promise remains the same: to strengthen the foundations of community.”These individuals and corporations were individually recognized for their help in taking an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change right in their own neighborhood:Cliff Benham – volunteer at Northern Lake Y front desk for 20 yearsLeon Ber – volunteer bus driver for summer campBarrie Fromme – volunteer marketing associate who is “The Voice” of the Y on radio adsJosh & Laura Goodman – volunteer coach (Josh) for Central Lake YMCA (Vernon Hills)Turtles Swim TeamAntoineo Harris – volunteer on Development Committee and for his Lake County Talent Show from which proceeds were donated to the YTed Haug – Y advocate and champion who has donated his architectural expertise for more than 25 yearsSara Kelley – volunteer photographer who also is a swim instructorRenee Kunkel – volunteer who takes care of pruning, watering and nurturing all of the plants at the Central Lake YFlatlander's Restaurant & Brewery – community leader sponsor for annual fundraiserJCPenney at Westfield Shopping Town – for Pennies from Heaven campaign that supports the Y's afterschool programCarl E. Mellen Insurance – community leader sponsor for annual fundraiserUBS Financial Services – for two major transformation projects for the afterschool program at the Northern Lake YWKRS/WXLC Radio Stations – community leader sponsor for annual fundraiserIn addition to Taylor, the following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors: Lou Archbold, Julie Baker, Diane Fleming, Dave Hall, Cindy Hebda, Claudia Hoogasian, Jeff Pinderski, Dave Sherman, Rick Teper, Anne Veit and Dave Wille.The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan. Lake County Family YMCA