Granite YMCA honors key volunteers, supporters, names new trustees

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Volunteer of the Year Kraig Burnham
Kraig Burnham, center, was presented with the Tom and Sally Addison Volunteer of the Year Award. Pictured with board chair Denise Langley, left, and Granite YMCA president and CEO John Harris. Courtesy Photo

MANCHESTER, NH  –  More than 100 volunteers, community supporters, donors, and employees gathered in December to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments of The Granite YMCA over the past year.

“The annual meeting is a wonderful event that truly represents the yearlong support, passion, and dedication from our donors, board members, and community members. This evening allows us to both reflect on the past year as well as thank and recognize those that work so hard to support and further our mission,” said John Harris, President and CEO of The Granite YMCA

Meeting highlights included nominations of the incoming board members and new officers, recognition of retiring board members and key community donors, and announcements of the association’s volunteer of the year, chairman’s award winners, legacy award, community service award winners, and youth of the year.

TGY Legacy Award Winner Bill Kotekas
Legacy Award recipient Bill Kotekas, center, a YMCA member for 90 years, with board chair Denise Langley, left, and Granite YMCA president and CEO John Harris. Courtesy Photo

Board of Trustee news:

  • New trustees nominated to a three-year term: Wayne Robinson
  • Current trustees nominated to a three-year term: Richard Pease, Jody Reese, and Steve Lubelczyk
  • Slate of officers nominated included: Denise Langley – Chair, Steve Lubelczyk – Vice Chair, Bill Tucker – Treasurer, Peg O’Brien – Secretary, Richard Pease – At large member.
  • The board also thanked and recognized outgoing trustees for their commitment and service: they included John Lombardi, Coleen Penacho, and Andrew York.

Legacy Award:
Bill Kotekas, longtime member of The Granite YMCA for 90 years was presented with the Y’s Legacy Award in recognition of his exemplary passion and dedication to the Y’s mission and core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. A member since the age of 7 years old, Bill is a well-known staple to the YMCA of Downtown Manchester community sharing his mantra of staying active, being social, and supporting one another.

Community Service Awards:
The association presented community service awards to key community business partners for their charitable support and dedication to The Granite YMCA. They included: Waste Management, Hannaford Supermarkets, Crispin’s House, and Liberty Financial Foundation.

Crystal Ashe and Lauren Pardue Youths of the Year
Youth Leaders of the Year Crystal Ashe, left, and Lauren Pardue. Courtesy photo

Chairman’s Awards:
Dr. Kerry Houston of Londonderry, Vickie Routhier of Strafford, and Bonnie and Terry Flahive of Bedford were all honored with a Chairman’s Award for their outstanding volunteer service.

Youth of the Year award:
In recognition of their leadership qualities at the YMCA of Downtown Manchester’s Leader’s Club, Crystal Ashe and Lauren Pardue were presented with the Youth of the Year award.

Tom and Sally Addison Volunteer of the Year Award:
In recognition for his outstanding volunteer service and years of dedication as a fundraiser for the Y, Kraig Burnham was presented with the Tom and Sally Addison Volunteer of the Year Award.


About The Granite YMCA

As one of the state’s longest standing and most enduring non-profits, The Granite YMCA focuses on youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and family strengthening. Across the state, its six branches engage 30,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to improve their health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2017, The Granite YMCA provided financial assistance and free services valued at over $1.63 million to 20,190 individuals. To learn more, please visit www.graniteymca.org.

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