Evans said it is important to "make good use of our time by helping others who need us. Give back to someone in need." He asked volunteer, why give? "It’s not a choice but a responsibility that we all have to help someone along the way – returning a favor done for us. One of the greatest things we can do is to help others. It helps to forge a strong bond that ties our community together brings everybody together and strengthens the bond between communities."

Evans said the Y is teaching life lessons as was demonstrated through a Y story shared by Stephanie Sorrells. She and her husband have done a fine job raising their children and the Y helped to enforce the life lesson about helping others, said Evans.

"Will stayed behind to help someone else. He valued the opportunity to help others," said Evans. Will was unselfish, making a choice in life to help and hopefully making right choices throughout life.

Evans said it should be said that in Winder, Georgia, they are doing it right and teaching lessons and taking it to even greater heights.

Stephanie Sorrells, who is chairing the 2010 Share the Spirit campaign, has served on the Y board for six years and her sons, Austin, now 16, and Will, 11, have grown up at the Y through their involvement in day camp, Youth Leadership Camp, sports and more. Their involvement fueled her own involvement in the Y which continues even though her sons are too old to participate in some of the children’s and youth activities. She is employed by The Peoples Bank.

She remains connected with the children and families at the Y through the Share the Spirit campaign.

"I continue to be involved," said Sorrells. And part of the reason is reflected in her Y story which she shared at the breakfast.

She shared her story of how Y President and CEO Kurt Stringfellow enlisted her to represent the board and attend a staff retreat for part-time employees. She could take her sons along on the retreat to the Blue Ridge Y near Asheville, N.C. She was looking for a beautiful, relaxing mountain getaway, but instead got orders to get on walking shoes for what was to be a two-hour hike – without cell phones.

The excursion was a 2,000-foot climb along High Top Trail with the group divided into three groups. At first, she and her sons were together. Her maternal instincts are keen about keeping the boys in her sight, especially the youngest.

The goal of the hike was team building since no one could head back down the mountain until everyone in all three groups made the trek.

Sorrells said she got into a panic when she couldn’t see Will. Despite urging that he was likely with the group behind, Sorrells said she had to head back down the route to find her son. When he wasn’t with the next group, she grew worried: had he fallen off the mountain? She found him shortly with the next group but was upset that he left her sight.

"But Mom, she needs my help and I can’t leave her behind," explained the youngster of the female who was struggling a bit along the route and did need some help.

They were helping each other up the rock and well after the original time line when they were exhausted, hungry and dirty, they could all be excited about their accomplishment.

Stringfellow’s message that "We don’t leave anybody behind" was put into action by Sorrell’s son.

Just like with the YMCA Share the Spirit campaign, we find a way to help.

The Share the Spirit campaign made it possible for children to receive scholarships.

In 2009, more than $300,000 was awarded in program and membership subsidies and other financial assistance to those who may have otherwise been unable to be involved at the Y.

Donations to the Share the Spirit campaign can be one-time gifts or a monthly pledge.

A gift of $10 per month teaches life-saving skills by providing two weeks of swimming lessons for five children.

A gift of $25 per month makes it possible for a child to attend three weeks of summer camp.

A gift of $50 per month allows one team of children to learn skills, sportsmanship and teamwork on a Y youth soccer, basketball or flag football team.

A gift of $100 per month enables a child to attend YMCA PrYme TYme after school program for a year.

A $100 one-time donation provides day camp for a child for a week while $45 means a child can play basketball. A $60 contribution will provide a one-month family membership while $20 will provide two weeks of swimming lessons.

Linda Easterly, Chief Volunteer Officer for the YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont, welcomed the breakfast crowd gathered at the Brad Akins Y.

The Rev. Don Pennington of the Church at Winder gave the invocation. He expressed thanks for the Y facilities with which to bless many lives and people.

The mountain adventure yielded another story. Challenged to think about orange juice, Stringfellow assured the hikers that the effort taken to squeeze those oranges for fresh juice was well worth it, even though we are spoiled by carton convenience.

Sorrells said the squeezing of the wallet or the budget to support the Share the Spirit campaign will be well worth the effort, no matter what size the gift.

For Stringfellow, the closing remarks were a chance to challenge those in attendance to share their experience of the morning. Even if they were unable to give, sharing the great stories of the Y may spur someone else to visit, someone who will knock on the door expecting their lives to be changed.