The Boothbay Region YMCA acknowledged the efforts of both adult and student volunteers, paid staff and volunteer coaches during its 35th annual meeting on April 7. 

The Y’s top honor, the Character Development Award, went to Doris Welch. She has worked at the local Y for 31 years. Welch is the Y’s administrative and development assistant.

Executive Director Andy Hamblett spoke about Welch’s past contributions. He said Welch’s work exemplified the YMCA’s core principles of caring, responsibility, honesty and respect.

“She puts those simple words into practice every day,” Hamblett said. “Tonight, you’re not being recognized for years of service, but rather for caring. You have given generously of your time, talent and treasure. You have quietly guided staff, mentored volunteers, and built relationships with thousands of members with your positive example.”

The next presentation was to Sue Burge as the Volunteer of the Year. Board of Trustees Vice President Mary Neal described her as an “extraordinary volunteer.”

Neal listed many examples of Burge’s local volunteerism: Boothbay Region Community Resources Council, YMCA, Quiltz for Kidz, Good Morning Neighbor, Food 4 Thought, and Walking the Boothbay Region.

“She has done so much to bring a vision and creativity to volunteerism,” Neal said. “She brings a certain excitement which gets other volunteers excited. She is not just a dreamer, but someone who makes impossible dreams come true.”

Neal also credited her with spearheading the “Set for Success” program that prepares Boothbay region students for the new school year. The local program started in 2011 in the Y gymnasium. The burgeoning program is now held in the Y’s field house.

Neal also acknowledged Burge’s role in organizing the recent “I Survived the Winter of 2015” event. The celebration brought 400 people into Y acknowledging the work of local public work crews during the winter.

“Her creative spirit brought the weary community together to shake-off the winter blues,” she said.

Earlier, the Y acknowledged the accomplishments of two high school volunteers. The organization presented Genevieve Taylor and Hannah Morley with Youth of the Year Awards.

Taylor was acknowledged for her outstanding work in the Y-Arts program. She managed the 2014 Kiddie Choir. Taylor also worked on the Music Theater Camp, “Backstage” and several other youth productions. She also was the assistant director with the Y’s collaboration with the Central Lincoln County YMCA youth production of “Winnie the Pooh for Kids.”

Y-Arts and Humanities Director Emily Mirabile praised Taylor for her dedication to the music program.

“Her kind and fearless approach to this program is an inspiration to us all. Her work greatly benefits all the program’s participants,” Mirabile said.

Morley is the Y Leaders’ Club president and a member of the board of trustees. She worked last month with Leaders’ Club adviser Heather McDaniel, organizing three youth basketball tournaments. The Leaders’ Club members provided 400 man hours to the tournaments hosted by the local Y.

Y Youth Adviser Kyle Alamo said Morley’s hard work and determination exemplified the Y’s motto of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“She goes above and beyond all expectation to get the job done,” Alamo said.

The Y also presented volunteer swim coach Mike Horst with the Program Service Award. Horst is an experienced master swimmer, scientist and educator.

In August, Horst became a certified Y swim coach and Level One swim official. Y Aquatics Director Shane Pennington estimated he spent 150 hours over 20 weeks this year coaching the Boothbay Dolphins.

“He coached with kindness and respect,” Pennington said. “He shared his expertise not only with the swimmers, but with the other coaches and staff.”

The first presentation began with special recognition to John Druce. He was presented with a “Y Magic” Award. Druce is a 60-year-plus Y member. He is a an honorary Y trustee. And in 2014, he was the chairman of the annual fund drive. Last year’s Y theme was “Y Magic.”

“I see the magic every day in the faces of those with intellectual disabilities who come in and use the pool,” Druce said.

The Y also acknowledged staff with anniversaries: Earl Brewer, Austin Crocker, Jeff Foss, Mark Gosselin and Maddie Rideout, five years; Arlene Celler, 10 years; Charlie Balsdon, 15 years; and Chris Vooght, 20 years.

The ceremony began at 6 p.m. with a medley of songs performed by the Y-Arts program. The music was followed by dinner. Caterer Laura Francis and her helpers served a dinner for an estimated 200 attendees. The meal included a mixed green salad with dressing, mixed cheese lasagna, haddock fillet with a lemon parsley cream sauce, carrots and green bean medley, rolls and butter, and a layered cake for dessert.

It ended with a message from incoming Board of Trustees President Rick Elder. He told the audience he has already embraced the local Y’s 2015 theme of “Pay It Forward.” He believed the theme is an appropriate one.

Elder considered the Y as “the middle man” between those wanting to do a good deed and for those needing one.

“It’s an extremely powerful concept,” he said. “And we strive to reach that goal every day. The equation of a strong membership base and volunteer support pays it forward both here on the peninsula and globally.”