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VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
and PETERSON FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The
YMCA recently recognized its 2005 Volunteers of the Year. These
individuals and families were chosen because of their dedication to the
YMCA mission and their willingness to help in many ways.
SHERRY BAGNALL
Don Wiggins Adult Volunteer of the Year • Sturgeon Bay
Sherry began volunteering for the YMCA in 1998, teaching AquaFit classes
at Sturgeon Bay's Peterson Pool. She has taught both AquaFit and AquaLite
classes for the YMCA, serves on the Door County YMCA Doorfins swim team
advisory committee and volunteers for the Doorfins team in various
capacities. Outside of the YMCA, Sherry works part-time at Door County
Dental Care as a dental hygienist for both Dr. Tyler Hubbard and Dr. Regan
Luders. In addition, Sherry and her husband, Jim, own and operate Bagnall
Plumbing and Septic. Sherry and Jim are the parents of son, Reney (age
13) and daughter, LaRae (age 11). On top of her time spent at the YMCA,
Sherry is an active mom. She also volunteers at Southern Door Schools and
for the many athletic and academic programs Reney and LaRae participate
in. She enjoys camping, sewing and time with family and friends.
SANNITO FAMILY
Peterson Family Volunteer of the Year • Sturgeon Bay
Pat
and Sandy Sannito moved to Sturgeon Bay with their two boys, Sean (10) and
Conner (7), in 2000 from Northbrook, Illinois. After arriving in Door
County they waited only one month to join the YMCA and have been loyal
members and volunteers ever since. The Sannito’s involvement in the YMCA
stems from the involvement of their kids in YMCA programs. Both Sean and
Conner have participated in numerous YMCA classes including Swim Lessons,
KinderSports, Wee Read & Wiggle, After School Sports, and Saturday youth
sports. Along the way, Pat and Sandy have been close by helping their
boys and others to learn important values and life skills. Pat has been a
committed Saturday youth coach volunteering his time and talent in
football, basketball, and soccer. Since their arrival to Sturgeon Bay,
Pat has coached as many youth teams as anybody at the YMCA. Always
positive, enthusiastic and engaged, Pat does a wonderful job getting his
teams to play hard but fair, to follow YMCA core values, to involve
everyone, and play as a team. Not to be outdone, Sandy volunteers on a
regular basis as a chaperone at numerous YMCA special events and has
helped with the Strong Kids Campaign. Over the last 3 years, Sandy has
volunteered at 75% of all Super Kids Fun Nights. As some of you may know,
the YMCA unofficially stands for “You Must Contribute Again.” In that
respect, Pat and Sandy are true YMCA supporters because they continue to
give of themselves to help make a difference time and time again. When
they are not volunteering, Sandy and Pat are regular exercisers in the
lifestyle center, weight room, in the pool, on the track, or in a class.
KRISTEN
JOHNSON
Joe Gagnon Co-Youth Volunteer of the Year • Sturgeon Bay
Kristen began volunteering in summer camp as a Leader in Training (LIT)
when she was 11. She has been volunteering for the past 4 years and plans
to continue in 2006! She has helped out in Discovery, Journey and Tiny
Trekkers Camps. Over the years, Kristen has volunteered in and led
activities at programs like Teen Night, preschool special events and
KinderCubs. She also served on the Teen Advisory Council to generate
great ideas for Teen Dances. Kristen is one of those teen volunteers that
you can always rely on to lead an activity with enthusiasm and a huge
smile. Her attitude is so positive and upbeat that she inspires her
peers, the staff and the children she is working with. She takes
initiative and is a true leader, both encouraging and supporting! Kristen
is a sophomore at Sevastopol School. Her dad, Craig, helps get her to her
many activities including volleyball, soccer manager, peer mentoring,
volunteering with United Way and activities with RYLA. Kristen loves
children and science and hopes to become a nurse someday.
CYRILL MATHIS
Joe Gagnon Co-Youth Volunteer of the Year • Sturgeon Bay
How
does a young man who lives in Switzerland become Youth Volunteer of the
Year at the Door County YMCA? Well to make a long story short, he signs
up for a work service exchange program through Rotary, trades households
with a young girl from Sturgeon Bay, and then proceeds to work nine
40-hour weeks in summer camp for a grand total of zero dollars. Since the
United States would not allow Cyril to work for money without a work visa,
all he could do was work as an intern for experience, or in other words,
VOLUNTEER! And what a volunteer/intern he was. Cyrill bonded with the
kids like he had been working with youth all his life. He was patient,
kind, always had a smile, and lead by example. The kids absolutely loved
everything about him; his accent, his personality, his gentle ways, and
even just saying his name. To say Cyrill was an asset to camp last year
is a huge understatement. In fact, he became our most consistent part of
camp, as he worked more hours than any other staff person. Thank you
Cyrill for helping to build strong kids, strong families, and strong
communities! We miss you.
SUE OLSON
Adult Volunteer of the Year • Northern Door
After graduating from Southern Door High School, Sue attended the
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and received a degree in Human
Development and Elementary Education. Sue began her teaching career at
Gibraltar Elementary School in 1990 and has taught both 4th and 2nd
Grades.
Sue is married
to Lance Olson and they have two daughters; Cassie is 13 years old and
Anissa is 10 years old. Both Cassie and Anissa have been involved with
the YMCA Doorfins Swim Team for the past four years. Sue has served on
the Swim Team Parent Advisory Group for the past four years and has been
instrumental in keeping our Northern Door swimmers "in the loop" and well
informed.
THE WITALISON
FAMILY
Family Volunteers of the Year • Northern Door
Gary and Joni Witalison live in Sister Bay with their family - they have
four children, Dalton is 14, Travis is 12, Brady is 12 and Allura is 9.
They share their home with their puppy "Neo", who is 9 months old. Gary
has worked for Wehling Painting for over 10 years, and has enjoyed many
years of volunteering as a coach in various YMCA sports with his children
from T-ball to Flag Football, and then on to Little League and Middle
School Football. Between these sports he enjoys hunting and gardening.
Joni has worked at the YMCA Northern Door Program Center since 1999 in
child care and as a lifeguard. She is a hairstylist at The Edge Salon in
Fish Creek as well. Joni has volunteered with many Family Center events
as well as co-coaching YMCA sports and assisting in swim lessons or dance
classes. She is currently the Northern Door Girl Scouts Service Unit
chairperson and is also involved in Peninsula Youth Soccer Association.
Dalton's favorite volunteer activity is to play games with the young
children at the Family Centers' Halloween Hoedown, and he helps in child
care and youth sports. Travis and Brady enjoy helping with crafts at
Secret Santa Workshops and also help out in child care. Allura seems to
find herself at all of these events and is always willing to run an errand
or pitch in with whatever she can do to help. She, too, is learning about
volunteering and community service at the Y and through Girl Scouts. The
Witalison family would be at a loss without the opportunities the YMCA
provides for families and our community.
J.J. GABEL
Youth Volunteer of the Year • Northern Door
J.J. has been participating in the Door County YMCA Martial Arts
Programs for the past 12 years. When he began taking Tae Kwon Do Classes
he was six years old and undergoing very aggressive chemotherapy for a
rare form of liver cancer. He survived the cancer and continued to take
classes. Six years ago he underwent a life saving liver transplant which
is the only time he was unable to participate in class. After he had
recovered, he continued to take classes. J.J. has been a volunteer in
the Tae Kwon Do program for over three years. Over the years the program
has gone through several changes and instructors. Class sizes have ranged
in size from 26 to 3. J.J. has been working with Teri Rohochek since she
took over the program four years ago both as a student and assistant
instructor. She has been a wonderful mentor to him.
PETERSON
FAMILY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Each
year for the past 3 years, the Door County YMCA has awarded the Peterson
Family Community Service award to a person in our area who has given
exemplary service to area organizations.
This
year’s recipient, Inge Bacon, has been involved in leadership roles in
over 24 organizations in Door County over the last 25 years of residence
in Door County. These organizations have included non-profits such as the
United Way, the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club, Hope Church, HELP
of Door County and the Northern Door Childcare center. She has also
served on the Sturgeon Bay Community Development Corporation, Bailey’s
Harbor Business Association, Sister Bay Advancement Association and Egg
Harbor Village Board.
this
person was instrumental in the development of Leadership Door County, a
wonderful training program for local business and community leaders. She
is currently serving on the boards at the Door County YMCA, Door County
Memorial Hospital, the League of Women Voters, Habitat for Humanity and
the Door County Humane Society, and has previously served on the Door
County Chamber board.
It
seems hard to believe that Inge Bacon has also had time to have a
successful career as a Certified Public Accountant and raise a son, John,
as well as stay married to her husband, Lee! Inge has been an
outstanding servant to our community and also has been recognized in the
past with a Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association
for Community Leadership as well as recognition from the State Institute
of CPA’s. We are lucky to have her in our Door County Community. |
