RYE Y Celebrates Spirit of Community at Annual Dinner

performance2 [May 26, 2016] Over 130 Rye YMCA supporters gathered at the Apawamis Club on May 25 for the organization’s Annual Dinner and awards ceremony. The event gave board members, staff and community residents the opportunity to celebrate the Y’s accomplishments and recognize the commitment of its volunteers. Three staff members were also honored with awards for excellence.

Although the speeches were applauded warmly, a group of children from the Y’s after school program stole the show. Led by 12-year-old Julie Halasz, ten 5-7 year-old girls delighted the crowd with a lively dance routine. Julie helped choreograph and teach the routine under the direction of her mother, beloved children’s performer Dawn Halasz, a.k.a. Dawny Dew.

Board president Doug DeStaebler acknowledged the contributions of several outgoing board members, including Susan Leslie, Tavenner Rogers, Susan Gervais, William Miller, and John Tartaglia. He introduced incoming board members Nicole Ball, Rachel Breinin, Rob Field, Lisa King, Lew Nash, and Vicki Whatley. DeStaebler also praised the leadership of Gregg Howells, the Y’s Executive Director of nearly 20 years.

In his remarks, Executive Director Gregg Howells spoke about the power of community partnerships. From the early days of Activate America—a coalition formed in 2005 to address obesity, inactivity and chronic disease—to our current work with Healthier Port Chester, Healthier Mamaroneck and Rye-ACT, our partners have played a vital part in the Y’s success.

Jhon-Harvey Taborda, Sally Braid and Tanya Stack

The following awards were presented:

Staff Award: Spirit, Mind and Body
This year’s recipient was Tanya Stack, Regional Coordinator for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. Through leadership, dedication and tenacity, Tanya has helped develop a wide range of community health programs that serve our members and the community at large.

Staff Award: Quality Keeper
Staff member Sally Braid was honored for her work as a LIVESTRONG at the YMCA instructor and as a coach for the TRIBE, an all-women’s triathlon training group. Sally performs both of these roles with knowledge, professionalism, efficiency and compassion.

Staff Award: Excellence in Innovation
Jhon-Harvey Taborda, known to all as J.T, was awarded the Excellence in Innovation award for creating Functional Fitness. This group exercise class helps members of all ages build the strength, flexibility and endurance to tackle life’s daily physical challenges.

Sally Wright with Nancy Haneman

Community Service Award
Each year the Rye Y honors an individual who has made a positive impact on the community. This year’s award was presented by former board president and trustee Nancy Haneman to Sally Wright. A long-time resident of Rye, Sally has left her mark through her service to her children’s schools; as an active member of the Rye Chamber of Commerce, where she served three terms as president; and as a member of several City Committees. She helped bring Mistletoe Magic and the Farmer’s Market to downtown and brought parents, law enforcement and community advocates together to produce the Respect Manual.

For the past 20 years, Sally has led the Y’s development department. She has advanced the Y’s mission in measurable ways, allowing the Y to change lives every day. Sally is retiring this year and returning to her native Michigan.

Mark Miller, Terry Tolley and Gene Lynch

Gold Spirit Awards
The Rye Y’s highest honor for volunteer service, this year’s awards were presented by Rye Y trustee Tom Murphy to three former board members.

Gene Lynch
As a board member from 2007-2013, Gene contributed his time and talents in several roles: Treasurer, Vice President and Annual Campaign Chair. After his second term expired, he joined the board of trustees. Gene has served on the Y’s Centennial Campaign Committee and was also a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. His financial expertise and pragmatic approach to even the most complex issues made Gene a real asset to the Y’s governing board.

Mark Miller
Mark joined the Y’s board of directors in 2008 and served two 3-year terms. As co-chair of the Annual Campaign for four straight years, he spent hours writing notes and making calls to potential donors. During his tenure, the campaign grew by $125,000. He also served on the Centennial Campaign Steering Committee, which raised $2 million to keep the Y strong for years to come.

Terry Tolley
As a board member from 2008-2014, Terry served on the Executive Committee as Vice President and as a Team Captain for the Annual Campaign. As chairperson of the Centennial Planning Committee, Terry helped organize the Harlem Ambassadors basketball game and the Family Scavenger Hunt. As co-chair of the Gala Committee, with Mark Doran, she was a tireless and creative driving force behind the Y’s Centennial Gala.