YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Honors Key Volunteers at 123rd Annual Meeting

Dallas– The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas held its 123rd Annual Meeting a celebrating the great work on the YMCA volunteers and the Dallas YMCA. In addition to discussing accomplishments of the past, and plans for the upcoming year, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas recognized more than 50 board members and volunteers of all ages from throughout the Metroplex for their commitment to the organization.  Last year, more than 10,000 volunteers helped the YMCA make a positive impact on their community.  Three individuals in particular received the organization’s prestigious Distinguished YMCA Leadership Award for consistent and extraordinary leadership in community service.

The Theodore P. Beasley Award was awarded to Gail Madden for her committed and compassionate service on the YMCA Board of Directors.  This award is given annually in recognition of outstanding service and volunteer leadership to the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.  Gail’s dedication to the YMCA spans more than sixteen years serving on the Board of Directors, where she has held leadership positions on various committees and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the $30 million YMCA Building Strong Kids Capital Campaign. Gail Madden’s commitment and legacy to the YMCA will continue to impact the YMCA for years to come.

Joel Williams, Jr. was awarded the Strong Communities Award because of his long time  dedication and leadership to YMCA Camp Grady Spruce.  The Strong Communities Award acknowledges special individuals who have made an invaluable commitment of their time, leadership, influence and personal wealth to ensure the future of their YMCA. Nearly 3 generations of YMCA campers have been affected by the leadership of Joel Williams. Jr .  Williams served on the Camp Board beginning in the 1950’s as one of the pioneers that help build the camp to what it is today. He served for more than 30 years and in 2005  was elected to the Camp Grady Spruce Hall of Fame.

The George L. Allen Award, honoring a member of the local minority community who consistently displays excellent leadership in community service, was given to Russell Bellamy for this dedicated work with the YMCA College Scholarship Program.  For more than 30 years Bellamy has been influencing the next generation of college bound students through the YMCA College Scholarship program.  With the help of Russell’s leadership the YMCA has awarded nearly $2.5 million in academic scholarships to deserving teens over the last three decades.

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is the largest human care organization in Dallas, established in Dallas in 1885. It has an operating budget of $55 million, and employees 2,400 full-and-part time staff.  The Dallas YMCA consists of 23 branches, including two dent camps, Camp Grady Spruce and Collin County Adventure Camp. The Dallas YMCA serves seven counties and operates an additional 100 program sites.

Contact:

Sarah Byrom, Associate VP for Communication
YMCA Of Metropolitan Dallas
214/663-0867 or sarahb@ymcadallas.org