Community Spirit Shines at South Shore YMCA 2024 Holiday Celebration

The South Shore YMCA hosted its 2024 Holiday Social on Monday, December 9, at the Hale Family YMCA in Quincy, celebrating a year of profound community impact and a legacy of leadership.

South Shore Y Executive Board Chair, Matt Shadrick, warmly welcomed special guests, including City of Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, State Representative Tackey Chan and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey along with members of the South Shore YMCA President’s Club, Executive Board members, staff, donors, volunteers, and community leaders.

The evening was filled with heartfelt gratitude and the spirit of giving. Mayor Koch expressed deep appreciation for the individuals and corporate citizens who support the Y and its mission to improve lives in spirit, mind, and body.

“When I think of what makes a complete community, a complete city,” shared the Mayor, “it would be hard to imagine a complete community without the YMCA.”

The meeting began with a Mission Moment, as Nicole, mother of Celia, a seven-year-old cancer survivor, shared her family’s story. After Celia’s diagnosis, Nicole enrolled Celia in the Staystrong program, hoping to help her find her physical strength while dealing with treatments. The program offered access to swim lessons, which she otherwise would have missed at that crucial age in her development. Celia went from total fear of the water to becoming an avid swimmer thanks to this crucial donor-supported program.

Guests further experienced the true essence of the Y’s mission as they entered the event through the Y’s “North Pole,” witnessing thousands of toys, bikes, gifts, and coats generously donated by the community for over 800 local children through the SSYMCA Hope for the Holidays program.

The Y honored longtime volunteers Tom and Barbara Moriarty, who, for over fifteen years, have passionately led the charge to raise $10,000 for the “$100 for 100” program. This initiative gives 100 kids the joy of spending $100 at Dick’s Sporting Goods on holiday gifts for their loved ones.

The Y also recognized and thanked State Representative Tackey Chan for his ongoing and unwavering support of the SSYMCA Germantown Neighborhood Center. His dedication has made it a “beacon of hope” for the community, as he tenaciously advocates for critical funding to combat food insecurity through the Y’s food pantry.

Executive Board Governance Chair, Kathie McDonough, announced the new officers for the 2025-2026 term, including Mike Mullin as Executive Board Chair, Stephanie Bandzak as First Vice Chair, Amish Desai as Second Vice Chair and Treasurer, and Larry DiNardo as Clerk. Outgoing Board Chair, Matt Shadrick, expressed heartfelt thanks to the Y team and supporters for their shared journey over the past few years, highlighting a remarkable 13% growth in membership in 2024, record-high daily usage of Y facilities, and the development of a new Outdoor Aquatics Center and Nature Center Preschool.

Several key leadership changes were announced, with incoming Board Chair, Mike Mullin, announcing that Paul Gorman has extended his contract and will remain CEO of the South Shore YMCA through 2025, with plans to retire in 2026 after 16 years of tremendous impact with the South Shore Y and nearly 30 years with the Y overall. Gorman then shared that the current Chief Operating Officer, Trevor Williams, will be elevated to President in 2025.

Gorman also honored the retirement of three longtime executive board members, Doug Briggs, Steve Briggs, and Alex Clark, who have served an incredible 35, 40, and 50 years of service, respectively. Doug Briggs left his mark through his personal generosity and the unwavering corporate support he brought as President of Quincy Mutual Group. Steve Briggs, like his brother, attended the Y’s Camp Burgess as a young man and has spent four decades as its champion, as well as being an avid fundraiser for the Y’s participation in the Rodman Ride for Kids. Alex Clark followed the legacies of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all of whom served on the Y Executive Board. Alex grew up with the Y, but more importantly, he grew up with the Y mission. Alex is the first to volunteer, the first to give whether annual or capital, and the first to speak up in support of the Y.

“Together, these three men represent a combined 125 years of service. Their unique contributions and family legacies with the South Shore YMCA—Steve and Doug as third generation and Alex as fourth generation—have been instrumental in the transformational changes within our organization. Tonight, we thank these leaders for their unwavering support and dedication to our Y and our community.”