Southeast Ventura County YMCA celebrates 39 years

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is celebrating the spirit of volunteerism at its 39th annual meeting.

John Rutherford, president of the YMCA, said that 39 years ago a few people who lived in the small communities within Southeast Ventura County felt they needed a YMCA in their area. They went to actor rancher Joel McCrea and asked if he would help them locate land for a YMCA.

McCrea donated five acres to start the first YMCA in the area. That YMCA is now called the Conejo Valley YMCA and is situated on 30 acres that McCrea added to his initial donation.

Today the Southeast Ventura County YMCA has two other branches, one in Simi Valley and one in Agoura. The YMCA plans to break ground this fall for a new YMCA in Newbury Park.

At 6 p.m. On Mon., Aug. 4, at the Plug Nickel Restaurant in Westlake Village, the board of directors will recognize the volunteer of the year and past board officers and install new board officers.

The installing officer is Pastor Frank Nausin of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The new officers are: Chairman John Bradley, Past Chair Tony Kourounis, Chair elect Dave Haight, Finance Chair Bill Allison, Deputy Finance Chair Judy St. John, Nominations Chair Lynda Gould, Program Chair Al Adam and Secretary, Judge Maureen Duffy Lewis.

The YMCA Day Camps who were winners of the summer skit and song competition will provide entertainment. For more information on the event, call Rutherford at (805) 497-3081.