Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Duneland YMCA recognizes 2014 employee and community contributions

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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.

 

 

 

Posted 1/29/2015

 
 

 

 

 

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