YMCA of Coastal Georgia celebrates community impact

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The YMCA of Coastal Georgia held its 171st annual meeting Tuesday morning to celebrate the accomplishments made by the organization in 2025.

Community leaders, staff, volunteers and supporters gathered at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum for the celebration.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia President and CEO Joel Smoker reflected on some of the past year’s achievements, which included serving over 400,000 meals to fight hunger, raising more than $800,000 for people in need of financial assistance and delivering 170 beds to children in the community.

Several staff members and volunteers were also recognized for their dedicated years of service to the organization.

Smoker says Tuesday’s event also highlighted more work the organization wants to do in the future.

“A lot of folks don’t understand that nonprofits can actually vanish and go away. You know, we are at the end of the day certainly kind of a business as well although we do have a mission. So, it’s just a chance to remind everyone in the room that the YMCA is important. It’s part of the fabric of this community,” said Smoker.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson was also invited to speak at the event, and he thanked YMCA of Coastal Georgia for continuing to donate time and resources to those in the community who need assistance.

“I’m convinced that even nowadays that when you help, you’re often paying it forward. Because the people you’re helping today might be the people to help you or yours tomorrow,” said Mayor Johnson.

The president shared that the Y has some exciting plans for the next year, such as relocating to a new facility in Downtown Savannah — a move that will allow the organization to better serve the community.