YMCA’s celebration of W.W. Gay’s life establishes new scholarship fund and community award

Posted on May 7, 2021 By Editor Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill, San Jose, San Marco, St. Nicholas

Paul Jones shares stories during the Celebration of Life event in honor of his grandfather, W.W. ‘Bill’ Gay.

The Winston Family YMCA hosted a virtual Celebration of Life event on March 23 that raised more than $110,000 for the 2021 Winston Y Annual Campaign and announced the new W.W. ‘Bill’ Gay Community Impact Award.

Family members, employees, community leaders and elected officials, including Rick Catlett, former president and CEO of the Taxslayer Gator Bowl; Scott Stricklin, athletic director for the University of Florida; and Sen. Rick Scott, shared stories about Gay’s impact on the community with guests to the event.

A new W.W. ‘Bill’ Gay Community Impact Award was introduced at the event. The annual award will recognize an outstanding individual/organization making a major impact in the Northeast Florida Community. The inaugural award was presented at the event to Gay’s family.

The W.W. ‘Bill’ Gay Scholarship Fund was also unveiled during the event to honor Gay’s legacy and support of YMCA programs that provide opportunity for those in need in our community. Donations support the YMCA’s goal to ensure that no one is ever turned away for the inability to pay.