Annual Awards Honor Advocates For Barnes YMCA, West End

Tuscaloosa AL

18 January, 2021

9:53 AM

Description

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Sunday presented awards at the Benjamin Barnes Branch of the YMCA to community members who have made an impact in the community over the last year. The annual event is hosted on the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to kick off the YMCA's Youth First campaign. Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app. Maddox expressed his pride in recognizing those for their service in west Tuscaloosa and with the YMCA. St. Francis of Assisi said: "Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words." Today I was honored to join the Benjamin Barnes YMCA in honoring some outstanding community members who exemplify those words every day. Thank you for your devotion to Tuscaloosa's children. pic.twitter.com/6PBHd8mVCQ— Walt Maddox (@WaltMaddox) January 17, 2021 "As Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, 'the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,'" Maddox said. "These community members turned their focus to their community during this challenging year, and it is fitting to honor them on this weekend devoted to Rev. Dr. King." Patch reported last week that the Tuscaloosa City Council unanimously voted to acquire the Benjamin Barnes YMCA facility as well as the downtown YMCA location for $1.5 million, with the goal of forming a partnership to keep the Barnes branch open while working to build a new facility. Chair of the Benjamin Barnes Advisory Council Tanika Rice said the greatness of a community is best measured by the compassion, dedication, and servitude of its members, which was displayed by those receiving honors on Sunday. "We will honor these members for their advocacy, commitment, and bravery in continuing the mission of the 14 members who organized and built the Benjamin Barnes YMCA sixty years ago," Rice said. "Barnes was built by the community, for the community. We will continue this legacy of responsibility." HONOREES: Mason Bonner - Lifetime of Service Award. A former president of the Y Men's Club and a lifetime member of the Benjamin Barnes YMCA, Bonner organized and ran a youth basketball program over the last two years, serving over 180 youth in West Tuscaloosa in 2019 alone. Paul Rollins and Rodney Pelt - Trailblazer Award. When the Barnes YMCA partnered with the Tuscaloosa City Schools over the summer to offer virtual learning and meals to students, Rollins and Pelt donated their time and money to ensure the success of this operation. The following community members were also recognized for their commitment to and support of the YMCA: Kerri AshFreddy Washington Ashly WheatDanielle Eaton Shae ByrdRaytonya HughesBishop L Spenser Smith Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter. You can also download the Patch mobile app, free for Apple and Android mobile devices.