From coaching soccer, and helping out in the classrooms, to teaching financial literacy and raising funds, the 2007 Volunteers of the Year at three South DeKalb-based YMCA exemplify the spirit of volunteerism that keeps the Y going year after year.

On Nov. 9, Andres Deas from the South DeKalb YMCA, Vikki Daniels from the YMCA Academies of South DeKalb, and Beverly Dabney from the East Lake YMCA were honored for their service to their Y branches at the annual Metro Atlanta YMCA Volunteers of the Year Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel. They were among 20 Atlantans recognized for their service to metro Y branches.

Deas' relationship with the South DeKalb Y began in 1979 when he was 7 years old and his parents signed him up to play soccer.

Now 34 years old, the entrepreneur and father of two is giving back to the South DeKalb Y by coaching soccer.

"I want to see the program come back to where it was in the early '80s with over 700 kids," he said. "Now it's back to 300-400 kids and I'm trying to push the meter as far as it will go." Deas lives in Conyers now, but he still considers himself a part of the community that taught him soccer.

"I am a part of the South DeKalb community, even though I don't stay there anymore, and I want to give back for all that it has done for me," he said.

His sons Justin, 4, and Andre Jr., 8, are learning to play soccer at the South DeKalb Y, just like he did.

Deas, who played soccer competitively until he was 23 years old, said the sport gave him the skills to succeed in life and in his businesses, www.SmartLoanLendor.com and his real estate company, www.NetSmartRealty.com.

Volunteer for life

Volunteering has always been a part of Beverly Dabney's life. She said it was an ethic instilled in her by her parents while she was growing up in Mount Airy, N.C.

"I started volunteering at the Y doing blood drives in 1970," she said.

When she moved to Atlanta in 1975, she brought her volunteering spirit with her.

As a first vice president of community development at Washington Mutual Bank, Dabney often lends her financial expertise to the East Lake Family YMCA.

"I teach financial literacy, home buyer education and I participate in fundraising," said Dabney, who was surprised when the Y informed her she had been selected as the volunteer of the year.

"You don't do this to be highlighted," she said. "The Y always reaches out to young folks, and I try every day to make a difference in young people's lives and get them to the next level."

Classroom assistance

Vikki Daniels was recently hired as a substitute teacher at the YMCA Academies of South DeKalb, but since 2005 she has volunteered in the classrooms at the South DeKalb and Lithonia locations.

Daniels started out as a concerned mother who popped in to check on her children, who were in the pre-K and baby rooms at the time.

Soon, the single mother said it became more than that.

"If I don't have to go in to work, I go in with my children and see that their day goes ok," she said

She split her time between her daughter Darlene's class, who is now in kindergarten, and her son Brandon's class, where she would help rock and feed babies and prepare them for naps.

Daniels recommends volunteering.

"No matter what you can do, you can always take a few minutes of your day to volunteer," she said.