Six men and women who give generously of their time to the YMCA were recognized Nov. 5 at the Metro Atlanta YMCA annual volunteer recognition dinner.

Candace Aaron-Paschal, Felicia Mayfield, Barbara Storey, and Ellen and John Yates were honored at the Georgia World Congress Center as Volunteers of the Year. Phil McGregor got the Kellogg Branch Champion Award.

Aaron-Paschal gives time at the YMCA Academies of South DeKalb where she works tirelessly to involve families in the Academies’ early childhood development programs on Snapfinger Road in Decatur and Evans Mill Road in Lithonia. She says that volunteering enables her to spend more time with her son, who attends the programs.

“I started reading to the kids, which rekindled my passion for volunteering,” said Aaron-Paschal, who lives in Lithonia.

Mayfield has been volunteering at the South DeKalb Y for 20 years.

“The YMCA provides a safe and reliable place for parents to leave their children,” said Mayfield who is associate superintendent of support services for DeKalb School System.

She said the YMCA stepped up to the plate when the school system was wrestling with after-school care.

“I just can’t say enough about the wholesome image of the YMCA and the positive impact it has on the community,” she said.

McGregor began volunteering with the Y when his sons Brian and Sean were in its Prime Time after-school program.

The former DeKalb Board of Education member has championed YMCA programs ever since.

He says he gets immediate confirmation from his volunteer services. “I drive by the Y every day and see children and families using the facilities and services offered,” he says.

Storey is a board member at the East Lake Family YMCA. She also serves on the Y’s membership committee and raises funds for its Partner With Youth annual campaign.

She says the YMCA has a big impact in her life.

“The Y really shows me the value of teamwork and setting goals,” said Storey, who lives in Conyers. “When I volunteer, I feel I’m impacting someone else’s life, and that’s a great feeling.”

The Yates have been volunteering at the Decatur-DeKalb Family YMCA for more than 20 years.

John Yates says when they work with the Y, they see results directly.He helps with Partner With Youth and and Happy Club, the Y’s activity group for young adults with developmental disabilities.

His wife serves on the board and is active on the membership committee and raises funds for the Partner With Youth annual campaign. They live in Druid Hills in Atlanta.