Kenosha YMCA annual luncheon on tap for Wednesday

On Wednesday (Nov. 9), the Kenosha YMCA will celebrate another year of strengthening the community at their annual luncheon and kick off their Annual Day of Giving. Hundreds of community volunteers and Kenosha YMCA supporters gather for this meeting that showcases several Y-Award recipients.

Serving Kenosha for over 90 years, the YMCA awards are named in honor of Kenosha community members who founded the Y and continue to guide the organization into the future.

The Nash Award, named after Charles Nash, honors people who help the Kenosha YMCA community and has three categories: Employee, Volunteer and Business Partner. 

The winner of Employee of the Year is Alice Wamboldt. She has worked at the Y for several years and helps lead the Elementary Achievers program at Frank Elementary, Brass Community School, Ebsola, and Wilson Elementary. 

The Y is honoring two Volunteers of the Year, Kathi Small, for her assistance in the Y’s nutrition program, and Week of Hope/Journey Church, which offers youth the opportunity to engage in weeklong service to the community.   

The Business Partner of the Year, Jockey International, Inc., provides financial support and resources to the YMCA Lincoln Achievers program and has partnered with Best Buy to bring a state-of-the-art Tech Center into the new Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy. The Best Buy Teen Tech Center will be operated by the Kenosha YMCA. 

“I am grateful to our donors that believe in our mission.”

– Cindy Altergott, Kenosha YMCA CEO

The Wavro Youth Development Award winners are Kyle Rock and Liam Groetsema. The award honors their continued participation in Miracle League and, more importantly, their embodiment of the core values of the Y: caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility. 

The Kueny Aquatic award celebrates Tricia Selby and her rise from swimming lessons at the Y to becoming a team leader of the Kenosha YMCA Jaguars swim team. 

The Callahan Healthy Living award will be presented to Renata Serracchioli, a longtime member who has improved her health and zest for life as a member of the Y.

This year’s luncheon again serves as the kickoff to the YMCA Annual Day of Giving. The YMCA board and volunteers have a goal of raising at least $50,000 by the end of the year. 

“I am grateful to our donors that believe in our mission,” YMCA CEO Cindy Altergott said. “They help the Y accomplish so much in our community. The energy that the Annual Day of Giving has generated is amazing and I am excited to reach our goal.”

The annual luncheon will be held on Wednesday (Nov. 9) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the UW-Parkside Ballroom.  Advanced tickets are required. For more information visit kenoshaymca.org or call 262-564-6813.