McKeough, Lawrence honoured by YMCA

By Rianne Barnes, Special to The Chatham Voice

Two local men received special recognition recently through the YMCA.

John Lawrence and Darcy McKeough were two of the eight new inductees revealed on the Wall of Distinction at the YMCA Jerry McCaw Family Centre in Sarnia. They joined the other Fellowship of Distinction members, and are part of the 43 members now on display.

The wall represents those who have been instrumental in shaping the Y from as early as 1917 through to present day.

Lawrence said he was surprised to learn he would be receiving this award. “There are many people who deserve this award … it’s a nice honour,” he explained.

Lawrence has had many roles over the years within the YMCA. His son had already been involved with the Y for sports when a friend asked Lawrence if he wanted to join the board in 2002.

Serving as a board member from 2002 to 2010, he then served on the YMCA executive committee as vice-president strategic planning, vice-president of finance, and president.

Lawrence was also involved in the merger of the Sarnia and Chatham YMCAs and became a Chatham-Kent YMCA Foundation board representative from 2005 to 2009.

In 2010-11, he helped lead the campaign to build the Chatham-Kent YMCA, and served as vice-chair of the New Y Project Steering Committee, and, along with his wife, Lorna, was campaign co-ordinator of the Chatham-Kent Building Our New Y capital campaign.

Lawrence stated that one of his best experiences working with the organization has been seeing the community using the new, more accessible Y building. He added he was proud to finally see the completed building as it was a big challenge, financially, getting to the point where it was possible to launch the new building project.

Lawrence considers the YMCA to be a “valuable organization that provides valuable services.” He also praised the many educational and intergenerational programs offered by the YMCA.

Lawrence currently serves as director of the Chatham-Kent YMCA Foundation, and is a member of the YMCA Planned Giving committee and the YMCA Strong Kids campaign cabinet. In appreciation of his contribution, he was appointed as an officer of the YMCA Fellowship of Distinction in the volunteer category.

McKeough, a local businessman was thrilled when asked if he would accept the award.

He has been involved with the YMCA for more than 60 years. He was asked to join the YMCA board in the late 1950s and has remained involved as a strategic advisor on community and governmental affairs for many years.

In 2009, he served as honorary campaign chair for the Chatham-Kent YMCA capital campaign, and was instrumental in helping secure $8 million in provincial and federal government funding. McKeough continues to be a significant benefactor, supporting annual campaigns and donating to the capital campaign.

In reply to what he felt most proud about, McKeough remarked that seeing the new Y building and all the new memberships in use was “satisfying and rewarding.”

He added he was proud to see the many new outreach programs, such as Project Guatemala.

As a businessman, long term local MPP, former Minister of Economics and Intergovernmental Affairs, provincial treasurer, and son of a founding member of the Chatham-Kent YMCA, McKeough is described as having a true understanding of the depth and breadth of the YMCA and its mission as a charity. In appreciation of his contribution, the YMCA appointed Darcy McKeough as an Officer of the YMCA Fellowship of Distinction in the benefactor category.

The YMCA Fellowship of Distinction is the highest award the association can bestow on an individual. It is intended for those who have made a substantial and lasting contribution to YMCAs across Southwestern Ontario, and honours those individuals who have played instrumental roles within the organization.

Through their leadership at the Y, Lawrence and McKeough have made a positive impact on the community and have contributed to making the Chatham-Kent YMCA a better place.