REM Award Honorees (2012) — Bill Atchison (Alfond Youth Center)
The Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center is proud to celebrate Bill Atchison as its REM Volunteer of the Year. Bill is also our 2012 recipient of the Alfond Youth Center’s Paganucci Award for Volunteerism.
On most days, Bill Atchison can be found at the AYC lending a helping hand or giving a sympathetic ear. Bill is a mentor to youth, adult members, and staff. He is a vital resource who has recruited others to volunteer valuable time and then guided their youth and family serving activities.
His volunteer actions have included introductory golf lessons, preparing activities (and bringing other volunteers) to our monthly STEPS to a Healthier ME family dinners, Friday Night Teen program, Open House events, golf tournaments, bottle drives, data entry support, helping build raised gardens, and Karate Parent Association activities. Because of Bill’s energy and connection with our members, particularly the STEPS to a Healthier ME program, program attendance remains strong. Although about 90% of the people coming to the Friday Night Teen program are teens, the program draws people aged 5 to 71 with movies, snacks, and fun activities.
Bill is a chaperone for residential camp activities. He tells corny jokes with a purpose. He says that, “if the kids have to watch me, then I don’t have to watch them!”
Bill Atchison was born in Augusta, Georgia and grew up mostly in Massachusetts. He graduated from Easton Nazarene College and the American Baptist Church Institute of Ministry. Bill is an commissioned American Baptist minister who prefers being called “Bill,” not Reverend Bill. He came to Maine in 2002 to work for Christian Radio.
Bill had been widowed, but blessed with his children: Ryan, Jacob, David, Samuel, Michael, Luke, and Matthew. He and his present wife, Fran, were married almost two years ago. Fran and her children, Stephanie, Sarah, and Mandy and Bill and his boys are a family, and he and Fran have organized a ministry called Faith Dynamics.
When asked why he chose to give his time to the Alfond Youth Center, he said, “God chose it for me. The way to meet people is to go where the people are. This is the center of the community, especially for young people.” We are happy and proud that Bill Atchison is our REM Volunteer of the Year!
For more information about the Alfond Youth Center, please visit its website.