PORT ANGELES — Between 30 and 40 Olympic Peninsula YMCA volunteers, past executives, family and friends turned out on a clear Saturday evening to honor the YMCA “history makers” as part of its 65th anniversary.
Kyle Cronk, CEO of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, said the turnout was a testament to how much community support the YMCA has garnered over the decades.
“It takes an event like this to really bring out that depth [of support],” Cronk said after the event. “I think that’s what struck me the most.”
The open house at the Clallam County branch at 302 S. Francis St. also featured displays on milestones in the chapter’s history since incorporating in 1948.
“History Maker” honoree David Duro, Clallam County YMCA director from 1989-1994 and now senior resource director with the YMCA of the USA, said he became CEO of the YMCA at a time when the chapter was financially struggling.
“There was a possibility that this Y might go out of business,” Duro said.
Through fundraising efforts that brought in $600,000 and getting six separate banks to forgive the chapter’s debt, Duro said the Y was able to get back on its feet.
“The citizens of this city would not allow this Y to struggle,” Duro said. “The banks helped us, and people gave — generously.”
Edna Petersen and the late Jim Butler, 30- and 25-year veterans, respectively, of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA board were also instrumental in the fundraising effort and were honored as history makers.
Butler’s daughter, Mary Getty, and grandson Andy were at the event to accept the honor.
“He’d be talking a lot right now,” Getty said of her father, getting laughs from the crowd. “I do thank you very much.”
Petersen said she was honored to receive the recognition and to have been involved with the YMCA in some way during the tenures of all four executives.
“It’s been my privilege and my pleasure to be a part of what this Y has meant to the community,” Petersen said.
The late Stanley Taylor, founding YMCA board member and first board president, and his son Brooke, leader of the board through the 1990s and organizer, with Dana Shaltry, of the YMCA golf tournament, were also honored for their contributions to the chapter.
“I’m fortunate to have been a part of it for 70 years,” Brooke Taylor said.
Others honored included:
— Gerry Huston and Ray Hanson: who built the gymnasium in 1964 and developed a number of the YMCA’s still ongoing programs.
— Mark Bowes: YMCA staff member since 1965, volunteer leader, youth program director and EMT trainer for more than 40 years.
“It’s a humbling experience,” Bowes said of being honored.
— Volunteers Mac Ruddell and Bob McCartney and former executive Mike Robinson, who led the new $1 million campaign to build the new YMCA building, completed in 1988.
— Dan Maguire, who led $300,00 building expansion in 1999, brought the North Olympic Americorps under YMCA supervision and started the Jefferson County YMCA branch.
“What an incredibly special time for me. I’ll never forget it,” Maguire said after receiving his recognition.
— Dana and Rhianna Shaltry, who helped to fund scholarships for more than 1,300 people.
Dana Shaltry, along with Brooke Taylor, started the YMCA golf tournament, which has raised $500,000 for YMCA since 1989.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
