Volunteers honored at annual Y meeting

    The Washington Community Y held its annual meeting Friday afternoon. Community Y staffers recognized the achievements of four local volunteers. Those who were honored were Shane Anderson, Gwen Thyen and Ron Barnes, all of Washington, and Alberta Walker of Wellman.

    Anderson was recognized for his work with the Y?s flag football program last fall. Marcus Uhlenhopp, the program director at the Y, sought coaches for grades kindergarten through fourth. Uhlenhopp couldn?t find anyone to coach the kindergarteners. He asked a group of parents if anyone would be willing take charge of that grade, and that?s when Anderson stepped forward. Anderson was there because he had a son in flag football, although not in kindergarten.

    ?I had a good time with them,? he said of his kindergarten footballers. ?It was fun, but it was definitely work, too.?

    Anderson focused on the basics, working with the kids on the proper way to throw and carry the ball.

    ?We took turns so that everyone had a chance to be the quarterback. Everyone got to carry the ball,? said Anderson.

    Just a few months after his stint as a kindergarten football coach, Anderson volunteered to work with youngsters again, this time teaching basketball skills to kids in grades K-2.

For the full story, see the Jan. 24 edition of The Washington Evening Journal