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Retired teacher wins YMCA volunteer award

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YELLOW SPRINGS — Retired Yellow Springs teacher Kevin O’Brien was named the Xenia YMCA’s Volunteer of the Year.

The award was presented during the YMCA’s 145th Annual Meeting at the David H. Ponitz Center at Sinclair Community College in Dayton March 10.

Since retirement, O’Brien has devoted a great deal of his time promoting the YMCA’s mission. That’s something that actually started at an early age.

He has been a member of the YMCA since he was a child and as he grew up, he became interested in giving back to it.

For four years he has volunteered at numerous events, promoted the annual campaign, and served on the Xenia YMCA Advisory Board. He currently serves as the chair of the membership and marketing committee. He is also active at St. Brigid Church.

“The YMCA is a good fit,” he said about his avid volunteerism, adding that he has always been interested in health and fitness. As a teacher, he encouraged his students to develop healthy habits and a love for physical activity.

O’Brien talked about the many benefits to being part of the YMCA family and emphasized that there are programs for all ages and family resources and financial assistance, so anyone can use the facilities. He added it’s a great family-style environment.

His goal is to create more community awareness and support for this resource and urged residents to “Come check us out.”

He recommends taking a class, checking out all of the offerings, and taking time to meet the staff.

“Get to know your YMCA,” he said. “Things have changed with programming and development. The staff treats you like family. It’s a positive social experience.”

According to O’Brien, more positive things are coming to the Xenia YMCA this year.

The annual meeting raised more than $25,000 for the YMCA’s Annual Campaign and LIVESTRONG at the Y program. The night consisted of a silent auction, dinner and a program where volunteers and staff were recognized for their contributions to the success of the YMCA of Greater Dayton.

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By Catrina Conley

For Greene County News

Catrina Conley is a freelance writer for Greene County News.