Mike Harreld receives Y's highest honor

C.B. (MIKE) HARRELD RECEIVES YMCA’S HIGHEST HONOR

C.B. (Mike) Harreld of Dunwoody is receiving the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 2013 Bransby Christian Leadership Award, the Y’s highest volunteer honor. He will be honored at the annual volunteer recognition dinner Monday, November 4, 2013, at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

“The YMCA gives me an opportunity to help our community and to be involved with some of the finest people I know,” says Harreld. “It’s been an integral part of my life since I was seven years old. I’ve seen the power of what the Y does to people. The YMCA elevates everyone it touches.”

As a child growing up in Kentucky, Harreld learned to swim at the YMCA in Owensboro. He also participated in other Y programs, playing Gra-Y sports, serving as a day camp counselor, coaching youth sports, and leading the Hi-Y group. While attending the University of Kentucky, he continued to volunteer by leading the swim program and serving as a leadership examiner for the Y lifesaving class.

The Harrelds moved to Atlanta in 1977. He began volunteering at the Cowart Family/Ashford Dunwoody Family YMCA. He served as board chairman, was a basketball and soccer coach for his son’s teams, helped lead the Y’s Northside soccer committee and participated in other leadership roles.

He became involved with YMCA Camp High Harbour on Lake Burton in north Georgia in 1987 when his daughter, Ginger, went to camp. His other daughter, Alice, started soon. Campers first, they both continued as counselors, staff members, and program directors. Two pavilions were recently completed at Camp High Harbour to commemorate their wonderful camp years. Harreld helped start the camp board and still contributes countless hours to the camp.

For the past 13 years, Harreld has actively served on the YMCA of Metro Atlanta board of directors. He chairs the risk management committee and is a member of the financial development committee. The Harrelds are members of the Heritage Club, which recognizes those who show long-term interest, commitment and support of the Y by contributing to the endowment fund.

In 1994 Harreld was recognized as the Camp High Harbour Volunteer of the Year. He received the Kellogg Branch Champion Award in 2005.

“My recipe for success as a volunteer and for everything else I do is to do your best, work hard, be accountable, engage your team, and focus on making each person - including yourself - better every day,” says Harreld. He recently retired as a 30-year employee at Southern Company, primarily in Atlanta, but also in Bristol, England, and Amsterdam.

The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and connect. Call 404-588-9622 or visit http://www.ymcaatlanta.org.