{"id":29897,"date":"2016-02-24T21:58:37","date_gmt":"2016-02-24T21:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firstcoastymca.org\/?p=29897"},"modified":"2017-03-30T14:35:11","modified_gmt":"2017-03-30T18:35:11","slug":"jennifer-willett-named-ymca-employee-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portfolio.curran-connors.com\/FCYMCA\/jennifer-willett-named-ymca-employee-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Jennifer Willett Named YMCA Employee of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 February 24, 2016<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 The YMCA of Florida\u2019s First Coast proudly names Jennifer Willett as the 2016 recipient of the Carl & Rita Cannon Employee of the Year Award. Willett received the award at the 6th Annual Y-Bash held at the Florida Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 23. This award acknowledges her commitment to the Y\u2019s mission and service to the community.<\/p>\n

Every day, Willett leads her work at the Y with passion and innovation. Due to her leadership skills, the Y\u2019s annual I Heart Art drive successfully collected more than 210,000 art supplies with an estimated value of $350,000. The supplies are used in Y education programs and also donated to local schools. Willett also helped organize the Y\u2019s first ever Thingamajig conference that provided science, technology, engineering and math education for summer campers. She was also instrumental in the expansion of the Y\u2019s summer enrichment camp program to three counties, which has led to a 205 percent growth in attendance.<\/p>\n

\u201cJennifer is a true servant Y leader whose tireless devotion to our mission is constantly proven by the remarkable impact we have witnessed at the Williams Family YMCA,\u201d said First Coast YMCA President and CEO Eric Mann. \u201cShe ensures the success of every project she works on with her above-and-beyond attitude. Having colleague\u2019s like Jennifer is the reason the Y continues to build a stronger First Coast community for a better us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, Willett is a delegate for the Safe Kids Northeast Florida and serves as a community facilitator for the Darkness 2 Light Stewards of Children program aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n

YMCA of Florida\u2019s First Coast recognizes its staff, volunteers and community partners annually at the Y-Bash, an event celebrating their community impact through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. At this year\u2019s event, the Y announced its funding priorities for the following year and its goal to raise $1.7 million. This year\u2019s four funding priorities include:<\/p>\n