Jim Fair
Brandon Calhoun was presented the inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award by Lindsay Buckles, Development Specialist, at the Eastside Family YMCA 2015 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
Jim Fair
Tyler Patkowski was presented the KB Charitable Trust Award for Body, Mind & Spiritual Accomplishments award by Michelle Bryson.
Jim Fair
Scott Lowery was presented the Heidi Freeman Humanitarian Award. Presenting is Heidi Freeman.
Jim Fair
Helmet Flinte was presented the Wilton J. McKinney Order of Merit by Rebecca Barnes.
The Eastside Family YMCA held its volunteer appreciation dinner Tuesday selecting the 2015 members who have gone above and beyond the scope of service to the organization and community.
Patskoski, one-year removed from graduating USC Upstate with a sociology degree, has patiently put his skills and passion for others ahead of his. He was presented the KB Charitable Trust Award for Body, Mind, & Spiritual Accomplishments.
Patskoski was commended for a myriad of jobs he has performed for the Y. It appears, at times, he has made himself too valuable. The job description, “other duties as assigned” fits Patskoski perfectly.
Some of Patskoski’s responsibilities have been with the morning Childwatch and Afterschool programs. After a few hours with infants in the morning and 200 children bused to the Y for afterschool, Patskoski finds little time to take a deep breath also volunteering on the reception desk.
“I get along well with all the kids,” Patskoski said. “It’s some of the homework that can be hard – especially math,” he said with a laugh. “I can help with just about any subject, but math is not my specialty.”
“Tyler came to us and asked what he can do,” Michelle Bryson said. “He has been more than willing to take on any assignment we send his way.”
The award honors individuals who have overcome obstacles through YMCA participation and personal determination. That part, for Patskoski, is being diagnosed with Neuro Fibro Mitosis, permanent vision impairment. His parents, Mark and Mary, attended the awards dinner.
“He has not once let anything stop him,” Bryson said. “His love for and dependence on the Lord and his passion for others is a true inspiration.”
Interestingly, volunteers at the Y come from all professions and ages.
Helmet Flinte, former co-founder of the upstate’s International Food Service Executives Association, is renown as a chef. Flinte, retired from the food and beverage industry, and was just what the Y was looking for.
He was given the task of cooking hotdogs for the Harvest Festival. Once the Y learned of Flinte’s past, he has become the unofficial Chef de Cuisine at the Eastside Y. Flinte was awarded the Wilton J. McKinney Order of Merit for giving greatly of his time and talent, and exemplifying leadership and civic responsibility.
Brandon Calhoun was awarded the inaugural Volunteer of the Year honor.
“In the three years that I have been here Brandon has yet to turn me down with a request to help support the Eastside Family YMCA,” Lindsay Buckles, Development Specialist said. “Coaching youth sports, supporting the annual campaign by campaigning and donating his time, talent and treasures, attending meetings and special events, the whole nine yards, Brandon is always there for us.”
Calhoun’s coaching philosophy is teaching children good sportsmanship, learn fundamentally sound techniques and playing as a team. “Our staff is really good,” Calhoun said. “We teach our kids to shake hands, we high five officials and we don’t keep score.”
Calhoun is part of the Coaches Circle who volunteers their time as coaches and role models but also help raise funds for those in need of financial assistance.
The list of awards, description and volunteers honored are:
Volunteer of the Year
2015 – Brandon Calhoun (inaugural award)
Wilton J. McKinney Order of Merit
Recognizing outstanding and significant service to the community, giving greatly of time and talent, and exemplifying leadership and civic responsibility.
2015 – Helmet Flinte
2014 – Philip Wyatt
2013 – Rick Traynham
2012 – Dick O’Brien
2011 – Barry Keeler
2010 – Howard Hrbek
2009 – Bruce Baker
2008 – Brandon Calhoun
2007 – Paul Schaaf
2006 – Beth Freeman
2005 – John Brearley
2004 – Welch Bostic
2003 – Stewart Vaughan
Gary Schlansker Teen Leadership Award
Recognizing outstanding youth leadership and exemplifying caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
2015 – Isaac Smith
2014 – Julie Chrisler
2013 – Maggie Black
2012 – John Pyle
2011 – Laura Scheving
2010 – Rachel Rountree
2009 – Kendall Tate
2008 – Karlisha Stokes
2007 – Phillip Patrick
2006 – Kenny Harper
2005 – Brittany Montgomery
2004 – Kristen Laffler
2003 – Sam Clinton
Heidi Freeman Humanitarian Award
Recognizing outstanding volunteer service to the YMCA’s financial development efforts.
2015 – Scott Lowery
2014 – Scott Frey
2013 – Cathy Ronald
2012 – Josh Kale
2011 – Matthew Franken
2010 – Charlie Banks
2009 – Cameron McDowell
2008 – John Brearley
2007 – Jean Brown
2006 – Cherri Walker
2005 – Nita Callahan
2004 – Marion Miller
2003 – Heidi Freeman
Brandon Calhoun Significant Service Award
Recognizing outstanding effort and time in supporting YMCA youth programs.
2015 – Isaac Smith
2014 – Josh Skoog
2013 – Michelle Wienold
2012 – Tom Lessard
2011 – Kim Block
2010 – Onarae Rice
2009 – Jamie Burns
2008 – Monty Shaw
2007 – The Cronin Family
2006 – Barry Pyle
2005 – Kraig Pringle
2004 – Scott McGregor
2003 – Frank Powell
KB Charitable Trust Award for Body, Mind & Spiritual Accomplishments
Award honors individuals who have overcome obstacles through YMCA participation and personal determination.
2015 – Tyler Patskoski
2014 – John Ellison
2013 – Henry Howard
2012 – Bruce Baker
2011 – Julie Pelissier
2010 – Jon Larson
2009 – Joe Bradshaw
2008 – Luke Gribick
2007 – Dottie Wickus
2006 – Amy Edwards