Over 100 volunteers from the YMCAs 6 branches came together at Aldersgate United Methodist Church to celebrate 2008 and to recognize key staff and volunteers at the Cleveland County Family YMCA’s Annual Meeting. YMCA Board Chairman, Robert Arey thanked the many volunteers for their dedicated service and commitment to the Y. “While every facility, program and event we undertake is led by a team dedicated to doing its part to further the mission, we would not be successful without the tremendous support of volunteers,” Arey added.
Wayne Johnson, Director of Facilities at GWU and a volunteer at the Ruby C Hunt YMCA, was recognized as the Board Member of the Year. Wayne has been the Board Chair, on the Facilities Committee, and was instrumental as the Y opened the new facility. “Wayne is the true epitome of what a volunteer should be,” noted YMCA CEO Cameron Corder.
A high-light of the meeting was Annette Toms being awarded the Paul Porter Award for Leadership. Mr. Porter and his family are the generous benefactors of the River Bend YMCA Golf Course. Ms. Toms is the Executive Director of the Girls Club YMCA. David Ozmore, Vice President of Operations said, “Annette is so passionate about serving the children and families 
in her program. She is a sensational leader in our YMCA.”
Teresa Huggins, of Hamrick Insurance, was awarded the Candy Arey Volunteer Award. Mrs. Huggins serves on the board of the Ruby C Hunt YMCA. She also serves on the capital campaign cabinet. The award is named after Candy Arey who has been a long time YMCA volunteer and an original board member. “Teresa embodies all of the traits that we look for in a volunteer. She is cut from the same cloth as Candy,” added Corder.
Other winners at the event included Paul McCuney, a Group Fitness Instructor at the Dover Foundation YMCA and Ruby C. Hunt YMCA as Part Time Staff of the Year. Brandon Gilbert, a Freshman at Kings Mountain High School, was awarded the Youth of the Year. The Family of the Year went to the David and Juls Hux family.
As part of the business for the annual meeting, board members and branch board chairs that are rotating off the board were thanked. The new board chairs and board members were elected and sworn into office by the association’s nominating chair, Tim Mathis. Sallie Craig was elected as Chair of the Association Board for 2009.
The final piece to the celebration went to the staff celebrating 5 years and 10 years of service. David Ozmore and Linda Bogan were recognized for 15 years of service to the YMCA. Linda was one of the first employees of the YMCA and assisted the aerobic program held at the facility on Marion St.
New Board Members
Association Board: Bryon Gragg, Darryl Mims, Stuart Cheek
Dover Foundation YMCA: Alexis Pearson, Johnny Stamey, Greg McInnis
Kings Mountain Family YMCA: Dr. David McDaniel, Brian Hunnell, Gina Collias, Jim Jolly, Mal Brutko, Bill Parsons, Brent Bagwell, Michael Wells, Tom Matola, and Mitch Johnson
Girls Club: Amanda Burgess, Alison Clark, Anna Hamrick; Anganette Homsley, Darrell Jeffries, John Mattox, Charles Webber
GWU Student YMCA: Dawn Anthony, Jeff Barber, Leland Kerr, Jennipher Harrill, Monica Lileton, Vickie Roland, Bob Watson
Ruby C. Hunt YMCA: James Beason, Shannon Davis, Jerry Ruppe, Debbi Ware
2008 Board Chairs
Association Board – Sallie Craig
River Bend YMCA Board – Tee Burton
Girls Club YMCA – Elizabeth Pack
Ruby Hunt YMCA – Juls Hux
Dover Foundation YMCA – Jeff Ledford
GWU Student YMCA - Keith Dixon
Kings Mountain YMCA – Rick Hahn