Locals honored as Y volunteers of year

LOCAL   RESIDENTS HONORED AS YMCA VOLUNTEERS OF YEAR

Several local residents are receiving the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 2013 Volunteer of the Year awards for outstanding service. They will be honored at the annual volunteer recognition dinner Monday, November 4, 2013.

Sherry vom Saal of Marietta is the 2013 Volunteer of the Year for her service at the McCleskey-East Cobb/Northeast Cobb Family YMCAs. She is president and CEO of Savinity, a human resources consulting firm. She is active as a Cobb County master gardener, on the Cobb County Emergency Response Team and with the Mt. Bethel Elementary School PTA. 

Vom Saal got involved with the McCleskey-East Cobb Family Y when her daughter participated in sports and Adventure Guides, a parent-child program that provides opportunities to build bonds and share experiences. Currently, she chairs the board and is active in the Why It Matters annual campaign which raises funds to provide financial assistance to those who express an inability to pay for Y programs. 

Lamont Nelson, a resident of Marietta, is receiving the 2013 Volunteer of the Year award at the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA. A human resources generalist with FedEx Ground, Nelson also organizes volunteer opportunities for FedEx Ground and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

“A volunteer since 2009, Lamont became involved with the Young Family Y through FedEx Cares Day,” says Diane Baker-King, executive director. “He felt a sense of purpose and wanted to give more to this YMCA. He serves on the board, raises funds for the annual campaign, coaches boys’ basketball, and is an after-school mentor. By teaching that preparation, education, training, and motivation can lead to success in all areas of life, Coach Nelson leads his players to many achievements.”

A Smyrna resident, Summer Smothers is receiving the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 2013 Volunteer of the Year award for her service with YMCA Head Start, also called the Early Childhood Development Company, LLC. An Atlanta Public Schools outreach worker at Forrest Hills Academy, Smothers also is involved with the Warrick Dunn Charities.

Smothers began volunteering with the Y when her daughter entered YMCA Head Start, a program that focuses on quality early childhood education. She serves as the policy council president for the program, has been the parent committee president and volunteers as a classroom assistant where she reads to the children.

The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and connect. Call 770-963-1313 or visit http://www.ymcaatlanta.org.