A man who served nearly 12 years as the Executive Director of the Danville Family YMCA was honored Thursday when the Danville Sunrise Rotary Club dedicated a bench outside the facility. John Alexander was surprised by the turnout…
{‘’Well, I’m very humbled, Bill. I had no idea about the crowd size for one thing, or all the accolades that I was going to receive. I’m just very honored that they thought enough of me. And I think the bench idea was just perfect, because again, it’s a place where people can find rest – especially after a work-out. And old people like you and me can certainly use a rest after working out,’’ said Alexander (chuckling).}
Alexander recalled that it was shortly after he accepted the position that the nation was shaken by the 9-11 attack….
{‘’Actually (my) first day of work was October 1st of 2001. I accepted the position over Labor Day weekend in September – and that was just a matter of a couple of days before the situation at the Trade Towers,’’ said Alexander. ‘’And so it was an experience coming in during that tumultuous time – not knowing exactly how the not-for-profits were going to be served, or how they could serve.’’}
(John Alexander – in foreground – listens as he is honored Thursday, July 23, 2020.)
The Danville Family YMCA was constructed in 1971 – nearly fifty years ago….
{‘’The folks who were on the Board – including Dr. Bill Tanner, who was president at the time – really did a great job of looking at the building structure and how it could best serve. We’ve had to adjust that because of the needs changing over the years, but the structure itself is solid – and we did some great work back in 2005, 2006, (and) 2007 with the Wellness Center addition, and also some of the internal components were replaced at that time. So, I’m glad that the building is solid. And I’m glad that it’s still being used very effectively,’’ added Alexander during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.}
The motto of Rotary is ‘Service Above Self’….and Doug Ireland of the local Rotary Club said Alexander has certainly done that in his service to the community.
This past year, Alexander has been serving at the Executive Director of a Family YMCA in Owensboro, Kentucky.
