This year, the Vern Emery Award was presented to none other than Vern’s daughter, Martha Emery. Martha has served the Y loyally for decades, and just like her father, she has done so with genuine warmth, inspiring the best in those around her. Her contributions to our Y are numerous, but she is perhaps best known as a champion for the Y’s work in Youth Development, serving as a member and chair of the Child Development Branch’s advisory committee and as a member of the Association Board of Directors for nine years. Martha currently supports our Y Camp at Horsethief Reservoir as a member of its advisory committee. Her support of our Y is personal, and we are so grateful that she continues to be part of our Y family.

The Board of Directors of the Y established the Vern Emery Award in 1991 in memory and honor of former Y Executive Director Vern Emery’s long-term leadership of this community’s YMCA. It is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer leader based upon the following criteria:

• Long-term service to the Y and the community-at-large 
• Former Service-to-Youth Award recipient 
• Must demonstrate the personal qualities so characteristic of Vern, including caring, compassion, strong leadership and initiative, optimism, positive attitude, sense of humor, ability to be a role model, ability to praise and build self-esteem in others, and ability to be a friend to all