Every year, the Mexico Area Family YMCA celebrates the volunteers who make the Y a great place.

The Mexico Area Family YMCA hosted its annual supporters luncheon on Friday where YMCA board members and supporters shared a meal and recognized the efforts of everyone involved.

Brooke Oliver, YMCA CEO, said the luncheon is an opportunity to celebrate the YMCA and the people who have volunteered their time and talent and treasure to make it successful.

“The idea of this annual support lunch kicked off where we would feed people, and we would fill their bellies and we would fill their hearts with all the great things that the Y has done in the past year (and) the impact that we have,” she said.

The Mexico Area Family YMCA board of directors changes every year and a half and new leaders take office. As a result, Oliver said relationships with existing donors may not be there, so the YMCA started the support luncheon.

This year’s luncheon was a community effort. On Thursday, YMCA staff spent most of the day cutting vegetables for pasta salad, and Sherry Chedwick prepared the desserts donated by Nicci’s Kids. On Friday, the Audrain County Cattleman’s Association cooked the meat they donated and Mexico High School Student Council members served the food.

“Many of those (Student Council) kids are either participants in our YAG program or products of different sports or youth programs, so it’s really neat to see them and the accomplishments they’ve made,” Oliver said.

After most of the guests had been served, Dustin Lewis, YMCA board president, kicked off the afternoon’s presentations and Crystal Anthony, Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce vice president, presented the Business Excellence Award.

Continuing with recognitions, Alan Winders, Audrain County presiding commissioner, presented Debbie Hopke, Eastern MO YMCA Branch Director, with the Leadership Award.

Speakers that afternoon included Derek Stuckenschneider, board member, who discussed the Heroes Day Program; Oliver, who presented the YMCA’s community impact; and Steve George, board member, who presented the annual support call to action.

“It’s just a really fun day celebrating the Y, celebrating community and fundraising for the work that we do,” Oliver said.