(ROCKWALL, TX – April 16, 2015) J.E.R. Chilton YMCA of Rockwall volunteer Barbara Lee was honored with the Sam G. Winstead Volunteer of the Year Award for her substantial volunteer efforts to the Chilton YMCA’s swim team during the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’s 130th Annual Meeting held at the Belo Mansion on Thursday, April 9. The event saw 29 amazing area volunteers receive awards for their continued commitment and generosity to communities across North Texas and featured Dallas YMCA President / CEO Gordon Echtenkamp as the evening’s speaker.
Barbara’s volunteer work for the YMCA began in the early 90s when she served as a swim coach at the Oak Cliff YMCA. More recently, Barbara has been instrumental in getting the Chilton YMCA’s swim team off the ground, helping to double the program by stepping in and doing everything from starting (and teaching) the cub swim program to helping teach parents the ins and outs of running a swim meet. She’s a tremendous help to Swim Team Director Alisha Garrett, helping her organize and run every swim meet. In Alisha’s words, “I honestly don’t think our program would be as successful without her continued support.”
The Sam Winstead Volunteer of the Year Award is given each year in honor of Sam G. Winstead, a longtime Dallas YMCA leader who was an example of outstanding leadership. The award is presented to volunteers of each branch who have committed significant time and energy to programs or to the perpetuation of the YMCA in their community.
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in 23 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcadallas.org