From staff reports
CLARION – The Scenic Rivers YMCA held an annual meeting March 10. Board members, staff and volunteers from the Oil City YMCA, Clarion County YMCA and Camp Coffman were in attendance for an association update, dinner and awards ceremony.
Three individuals were recognized for outstanding service to the Clarion County YMCA.
Marcus Bingham of Clarion was named “Volunteer of the Year” for his volunteer service to the Clarion County YMCA. Bingham helps structure summer soccer for the Clarion County YMCA which involves over 300 youth.
He is a coach for multiple YMCA soccer teams, mentors officials, hosts soccer clinics and is the current president of CRVS Strikers Travel Soccer Club. He has also volunteered in the flag football and swim team programs.
Bingham is the vice president of operations at Clarion Bathware in Shippenville. He and his wife, Michelle have three children.
Jeff McCombie was named “Board Member Volunteer of the Year” for his service as the vice-chairman on the Clarion County YMCA board of managers.
McCombie is one of the founding board members of the Clarion County YMCA. In 1993 he took part in an informational community meeting at the Clarion County Courthouse where people began discussing starting a YMCA in the county.
He served a full term as the first board chairman of the Clarion County YMCA beginning in 1993. McCombie rejoined the Clarion County Board of Managers in 2013.
McCombie’s most valuable contribution recently has come while co-chairing the community gifts campaign to help fund the new YMCA.The community gifts division of the campaign has raised $370,000 to date and is 70 percent of the way to the goal.
McCombie is a retired public school administrator and a long-time resident of Clarion County.
Renee Bakewell was named “Staff Volunteer of the Year” for her service as the senior wellness coordinator at the Clarion County YMCA.
Bakewell is the longest-tenured staff member at the Clarion County YMCA. She started at the facility in 2001 and has led inspiring wellness programs for the last 15 years.
Bakewell started the Y’s most popular program, “SilverSneakers,” in 2003 with 12 members. She has grown the program today to over 270 members, and offers nine classes each week for older adults to build strength and interact socially. Her program has the strongest, most dedicated following at the YMCA.
A resident of Clarion, Bakewell regularly volunteers to attend trainings to maintain her extensive professional certifications. She is the ultimate all-around performer at the Clarion County YMCA.
“Without dedicated people like Marcus Bingham, Jeff McCombie, and Renee Bakewell, the Clarion County YMCA would not be where it is today,” said Jesse Kelley. “Volunteers drive our YMCA and lead us with their ideas, knowledge and service. Our YMCA leadership will keep our YMCA soaring to new heights.”