By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury/Westborough – Paula Green of Shrewsbury remembers when she was unable to join a YMCA.
“I grew up in the 1950s and ‘60s in New Jersey when the Y was for men only,” she noted. “I remember my brother and friends going to the Y and didn’t understand why I couldn’t go. Obviously, things have changed over the years.”
At this year’s 151st annual meeting of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, held at the Boroughs Family Branch YMCA in Westborough, Green received the George I. Alden Award. It’s the highest honor given annually to a member who has had a significant impact on the Y.
Also at that meeting, she was installed as chair of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts Board of Directors. She’s only the second woman to hold that volunteer position. The first was Dr. N. Lynn Eckhert of Southborough from 2002 to 2004, the year the Boroughs Y opened.
“It’s an opportunity for more women to get involved in leadership positions in the YMCA,” she said. “And it gives role models to the girls who are coming to the Y, to see that there are more and more opportunities for women in leadership roles.”
She understands the importance of someone setting a worthy example to follow.
“My parents were good role models for volunteering,” she said. “And I like volunteering for the Y. For me, the Y resonates with a life well lived. The mission of the organization is really reaching out and helping others; serving the common good.”
When the Green family lived in Watertown from 1974 to ’84 they went to the Newton Y for exercise classes and swimming lessons for their two daughters. The family moved to Northborough in 1984 and joined the Greendale Family Branch YMCA in Worcester.
“The Y was very welcoming to my family,” Green said. “The kids would sometimes round up some of their friends and take them as guests to go swimming on hot days because we didn’t have a pool. And the fact that both men and women could go to the Y was refreshing.”
Now, Green plays tennis at the Greendale Y and works out at the Boroughs Y, where she takes spin classes and began with a new personal trainer. She found another perk there.
“I can bring my grandchildren as guests when they visit,” she said. “They enjoy the services of the Y.”
Green fondly remembers her family’s involvement with her accepting the award for volunteer efforts. She was joined that evening by her daughters Joanna Green and Jennifer Colossi, and her grandchildren Daniella and Anthony Colossi.
“My two daughters and my two grandchildren came up to the podium with me as I received the award,” she said. “They were raised in Northborough and it was nice to have them back home with me.”
Green works as vice president of advancement at the Edward Kennedy Community Health Center. In addition to volunteering for the Y, she’s a board member of the Worcester Educational Collaborative and an advisory committee member for the Rainbow Child Development Center also in Worcester.
The honoree feels that her time spent volunteering for the Y is worthwhile.
“I’m around inspirational people who are real role models for service to others,” she said. “The Y has been a constant in my life for many years. I can’t imagine not having a Y in my life.”
She also can’t imagine not volunteering.
“I like volunteering, so it doesn’t feel like it’s a burden,” she said. “I enjoy giving back.”
For information about the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, visit ymcaofcm.org.