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YMCA of Florida’s First Coast Hosts Inaugural Friday Night Lights with Over 1,000 Northeast Florida Residents
Event at Daily’s Place celebrated organizations and individuals dedicated to strengthening the Y’s impact on the community
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – April 26, 2022 – The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast held its inaugural Friday Night Lights event last Friday, April 22, at Daily’s Place. Previously known as “Y-Bash,” Friday Night Lights gathered more than 1,000 Northeast Florida residents in celebration and honor of the Y’s partners, employees and volunteers who helped strengthen its impact across the First Coast.
During the event, attendees of all ages gathered to enjoy fun and fellowship through fun-filled games and activities including Jaguars inflatables, dance party, various camp and sports experiences, arts and crafts, YMCA experience booths, local partner booths, and giveaways.
“Friday Night Lights provided an exciting opportunity to bring members of our community together to spotlight and celebrate the dedication of our staff members, donors, organizations, volunteers and partners who have helped to further support our mission of changing lives,” said Eric Mann, president and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “We’re looking forward to another year of strengthening our community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other.”
The First Coast YMCA announced the following awards and recognitions for:
Volunteer of the Year
G. John Carey
First Coast YMCA Trustee
Community Partner of the Year
Scherer Construction
Branch Advisory Board Member of the Year
Allie Hollander
Williams Family YMCA
Teen Leader of the Year
Elani Weatherspoon
Johnson Family YMCA
Coach of the Year
Sekani Kobelt
Winston Family YMCA
Part-Time Employee of the Year
Christy Jones
Group Exercise Instructor
Williams Family YMCA
Full-Time Employee of the Year
Jamal Smith
Regional Director of Sports and Family Programs
Nassau County YMCAs
Friday Night Lights was sponsored by Publix Super Market Charities, Bold Events, AVL Productions, Florida Blue, PreCor and Minuteman Press.
For more information about the First Coast YMCA, and to learn more about how the Y is making and meaningful and measurable difference in the lives of others with the help of its supporters, visit https://fcymca.org/give/annual-report/.
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About the First Coast Y
For more than 110 years, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: fcymca.org.
