RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS AND LEADERS WITH ANNUAL AWARDS
Each year, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas holds events to celebrate the accomplishments of the Y and honor volunteers. During these events, the Y will present awards to our dedicated volunteers who have helped shape the Y.
Did you know that Father's Day started at the Y?
On Mother’s Day in 1909, Smart Dodd heard a sermon honoring mothers and wondered why there was no similar tribute for fathers. With the support of ministers and the YMCA in Spokane, Smart Dodd launched the first Father's Day celebration at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas established the “Father of the Year” award to recognize the significant impact fathers make in the lives of children.
SELECTION PROCESS: Each April, public nominations are open. Local branch reviews the nominations and honors each awardee in June for Father's Day. Nominations are due May 9th.
The Sam Winstead Volunteer of the Year Award is a prestigious award that is presented every year to a volunteer at each branch of the Dallas YMCA who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to a program or has helped further the goals of the YMCA in his or her community.
SELECTION PROCESS: Each year, local branch leadership and board volunteers select one recipient as their Volunteer of the Year. Nominations are due January 15th.
The YMCA Youth Character Award honors worthy young people who embody the four YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. The award recognizes those whose lives and achievements demonstrate an enduring commitment to qualities associated with good character.
SELECTION PROCESS: Each year, nominations are received from local branch leadership and program directors. A committee of association staff selects the winners. There is no limit to nominations or awardees selected. Selection is based on whether the nominee embodies the YMCA's core values. Nominations are due January 15th.
Annually, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas presents the Strong Communities Award. Criteria for this award are a demonstrated commitment by a YMCA volunteer who has been instrumental in creating and preserving a local YMCA. Few volunteers in our history demonstrate that commitment in many different ways than Chuck Storey. This award will acknowledge far into the future his outstanding contribution to the life of this organization.
SELECTION PROCESS: Each year, local branch leadership submits nominations. YMCA senior leadership and association volunteers select the awardee. Nominations are due January 15th.
The George L. Allen Leadership Award is a prestigious honor presented to one volunteer chosen from throughout the entire YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas association. It is given for outstanding leadership in service to a community or a particular group of people who experience unique challenges. George L. Allen served the YMCA and his community when Dallas was divided, and community needs were identified differently. His passion was to include all people in the YMCA movement regardless of their ability to pay. He served as Moorland Branch YMCA Board Chairman from 1959-1962. Before that, he was on the board for many years and continued to serve Moorland until he died in 1989.
SELECTION PROCESS: Nominations are received from local branch leadership, and the winner is selected by YMCA senior leadership. Nominations are due January 15th.
CELEBRATING PAST RECIPIENTS OF YMCA ANNUAL AWARDS
Explore the inspiring stories of past recipients who have exemplified the YMCA’s values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. These individuals and youth leaders have impacted their communities through their dedication, leadership, and service.
2023 W. Stephen Love
2022 Howard Etheridge
2021 Crayton Webb
2020 Eddie Marshall
2019 W. Kelvin Walker
2018 Gray Mayes
2017 Jill Magnuson
2016 Bruce Leib
2015 Michael P. Haggerty
2014 David Folz
2013 J. Scott Moore
2012 Jim Adams
2011 Robert Hallam
2010 Ruben E. Esquivel
2009 Garrett Boone
2008 Richard A. Gump
2007 Gail Madden
2006 John A. Martin
2005 Jack McGrael
2004 Kenneth Mighell
2003 Sherwood Blount, Jr.
2002 Randy Marston
2001 Don Bowles, Jr.
2000 W. Plack Carr, Jr.
1999 Dr. Wright Lassiter
1998 C. Dewitt Brown, Jr.
1997 Carl L. Yeckel
1996 George Cullum, Jr.
1995 Lee S. Turner, Jr.
1994 William D. Jordan
1993 James W. Porter
1992 Louis A. Beecherl, Jr.
1991 Gen. Bryghte D. Godbold
1990 James M. Moroney, Jr.
1989 Gifford O. Touchstone
1988 Donald E. Bowles, Sr.
1987 Hugh L. Steger
1986 Charles P. Storey
1985 William H. Seay
1984 Sam G. Winstead
2023 Brett Packer - J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall
2022 Bruce Klingman - Moody Family YMCA in the Park Cities
2021 Dr. Klyne Smith - McKinney Family YMCA
2020 Maurice West - Park South YMCA
2019 Beth Taylor - YMCA Camp Grady Spruce
2018 John Taylor - T. Boone Pickens YMCA
2017 Chris Barnet - Town North Family YMCA
2016 Marshall Sutton - Grand Prairie Family YMCA
2015 L.G. Fuller - Moorland Family YMCA
2014 Larry Parks - J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall
2013 Gerald Worrall, III - White Rock YMCA
2012 Bill Keffler - Richardson Family YMCA
2010 Jack Semones - Town North Family YMCA
2009 Howard Shipley - T. Boone Pickens YMCA
2008 Ernest Randall - Richardson Family YMCA
2007 Joel Williams, Jr. - YMCA Camp Grady Spruce
2006 Hershel Hodges - Park Cities Family YMCA
2005 Louis Beecherl, Jr. - Downtown Dallas YMCA
2004 Wayne Hanks - Grand Prairie Family YMCA
2003 Charlie & Sarah Seay - Park Cities Family YMCA
2002 C. Dan Smith - Plano Family YMCA
2021 Amye Thompson Hollins
2019 Balki Chamkura
2017 John Poston
2014 Vestana Wollos
2011 Calvin W. Stephens
2009 Rachel Torres Moon
2008 Irvin Ashford, Jr.
2007 Russell Bellamy
2006 Steve Parry
2005 Wesley Hayes
2004 Arrvel Wilson
2003 JoAnn Hasty
2002 Susann Roberts
2001 McKinley Hailey
2000 Juanita Lewis
1999 Arthur Young
1998 Leo Evans
1997 W. Elliott Stephenson
1996 Delia Reyes
1995 Shannon D. Little
1994 Ruben Esquivel
1993 Dr. Wright Lassiter
1992 Dr. Edmond C. Anderson
1991 Rev. U.S. Cornelius
1990 George L. Allen