The Duneland Family
YMCA held its annual Employee Appreciation Dinner at the Spa Special Events
Center in Porter recently to honor those who contribute to the success of
the Y's mission.
“It takes a
multitude of people and numerous community partnerships to operate the Y for
members, students, after school and sports participants, and for the Y’s
cause to be relevant in serving the community's needs,” said Executive
Director, Kym Groceman. “It’s my privilege tonight to honor the people and
volunteers who commit their time and energy to make our YMCA successful and
to recognize their outstanding dedication.”
Groceman explained
that more than eighty employees work tirelessly to make sure the Y and its
six satellite locations are open and ready for business seven days a week.
She said everyone who works at the Y deserves special recognition. "But some
of you go so far beyond the daily scope of your duties, and tonight you’ll
receive the Extra Mile Award,” she said.
2014 Extra Mile
honorees by department are: Sports Volunteer Coaches - Bill Pierce, Josie
Gregar, Caitlin Donnelly, Rob Kania, Mark Peterson, Kristen Peterson, Rob
Lange, Shawn Thomas, Adam Cooper, Scott Agashe and Mike Utterback. Preschool
- Karissa Lubiniecki. School Aged Child Care- Sally Gilbric. Member Service
Team - Joel Gillespie. Fun Zone- Megan Dalby. Sports Building Supervision -
Greg Richardson. Fitness - Ashley Hall.
The 2014 Volunteer
of the Year Award was awarded to Clark Gloyeske. Gloyeske has been involved
with the Y for more than a decade. He's a key volunteer, lending his time
and talents to the annual Emerald City Hustle 5k race and the Y's first
Block Party. He advocates for the Y any time and way he can without
reservation, and is always willing to lend a hand wherever it's needed. In
addition, Clark teaches a weekly spin class and is always willing to sub
when other instructors are unable to teach their class.
“More than forty
area companies, organizations and churches supported the YMCA mission in
many ways in 2014. Several help financially, others help with specific
donations for Y special events and then others who give off their time and
talents. We started a new program that enabled kids to come directly to the
YMCA after school and play a variety of sports with members of the
Chesterton Police and Fire Departments,” Groceman said. “There were many
police and firemen who volunteered countless hours to support the program
four days each week until the 2014 summer recess. We truly appreciate the
time that these volunteers took to make our community kids feel important.
The Community Organization of the Year award goes to the Town of Chesterton
Police and Fire Departments.” Accepting the award were Police Chief David
Cinkoski and Aimee Gilbert from the Fire Department.
At the close of the
award presentations, Groceman spoke to the Lead Staff, “I want to thank the
fantastic leaders that make this YMCA the wonderful place it is today.
Suzanne Radzik (Administration), Emily Hoge (Membership), Rick Lewis and
Paul Jones (Sports), Jane Delligatti (Marketing), Shannon Spratley and
Melissa Griffith (Child Care), Penny Bigger (Fitness), Nancy Zlamal
(Seniors) and Terri Langenour (Maintenance) are always given more work than
they were expecting to get, and they always give back more than what I was
expecting. Thank you for being the best Lead Staff ever. It has been an
absolute privilege to work with you at the Duneland YMCA and I really am a
better person because of you.”
The Duneland Family
YMCA is a nonprofit that focuses on youth development, healthy living, and
social responsibility and is a United Way of Porter County Agency. For more
information about Y classes and programs, call 926-4204.