The YMCA of Coastal Georgia raised $716,505 during its 2015 annual campaign, $24,000 more than its goal, the organization announced Tuesday night during its 160th annual meeting at The Mighty Eighth Museum.
The money will ensure funding for the Y’s after school program for children, its Wounded Warriors program for disabled veterans, its Y READY Readers to help elementary school students catch up on to grade-level reading and its diabetes prevention program among others.
Gregori Anderson, of Chatham County Building, received the gavel as new chairman of the Coastal YMCA board from outgoing chair David Mason of Lorwill Land Corp.
Incoming board members include Matthew Barrow, Andy Brodmann, Houstoun Demere, Jenny Gentry, Herb Hubbard, Mary Kathryn Moss, Allan Reynolds and Melody Rodriguez-Ortiz.
They are joined by the following volunteer leadership at the Y’s Coastal Georgia branches:
• Effingham Branch: Jim Everett, Kelly Leonard, Erin Phillips and Joyce Wright Eason
• Golden Isles Branch: Shanika Walker and Stephanie Archbold
• Habersham Branch: Sherry Feathers
• Islands Branch: Jeff Brady, Chris Raymond, Dave Siezrant and Ben Wilder
• Liberty County/ASYMCA: Ken Chipple, Gerald Lee, Michelle Ricketson, Josh Stafford and Leigh Smiley
• Richmond Hill Branch: Jenn Frei, and Lisa Hester-White
• Southside Branch: Rocco Giustino, Bobby Pounder, Kelly Ryan and Brandy Small
• Tybee Island Branch: Jack Baizley, Erin Flannigan, Sloan Knudsen and Kimmie Soberick
• West Chatham branch: Kevin Smith
The Volunteer of the year award was presented to Lee Ergle, Robert Espinoza and Michael Mahany
The event also included a special presentation honoring YMCA of Coastal Georgia CEO, Randy Bugos, who was recognized for his 42 years of service prior to his retirement on April 1.