Monday's Internet Edition, May 12, 2008.
|
Features Editor
- It is hard to say which there was more of on Sunday afternoon — smiles, laughter, or tears.
Sunday was the day YMCA staffers and patrons gathered to say goodbye to an old friend. Longtime child care director Sara Faulkner, who announced her retirement in November, will retire at the end of this month.
At Sunday’s retirement party, an activity room in the Tom A. Finch Community YMCA was packed full of well-wishers — a turnout YMCA executive director Stan Styers called a testament to Faulkner’s work.
“Just ... wow,” he said. “That’s really all I can say. This is an incredibly meaningful turnout — and just look around this room at those who came.
“This is a testament to all that Sara has done for this community and the YMCA. We are here for Sara out of love, respect, and a very deep admiration for this woman.”
Styers called Faulkner “one of the finest people I have ever known,” and said he was at a loss for words.
“All I can think to say is, ‘thanks,’” he said. “Thanks for all you’ve done.”
The children and staff members in each child care program at the YMCA came forward to shower Faulkner with going-away gifts.
The Kids Club made Faulkner a navy blue wall hanging, complete with colorful felt cut-outs of their hands, each painstakingly signed with their names.
There was a signed photograph of the children in front of the YMCA’s new child care wing, and hand-painted flower pots frm the kids in the Hasty, Pilot and Fair Grove YMCA After School Day Care programs.
Sandy Todd, the YMCA’s first summer daycare camp counselor, read a poem: “All I ever really n eeded to know, I learned from Sara Faulkner.”
“For example,” Todd said. “When you go out into the world on a YMCA bus — expect the unexpected. When you’re carrying a tray of hot dogs, it’s best to hold on tight.”
Ten-year-old Madison Wyatt had her own remarks to add — “Sara, your years of service here at the YMCA has paid off. You know why? You have opened many people’s eyes to what caring for people is all about. Thank you so very much Sara.”
Speechless — and a little teary — Faulkner could only smile and hug the girl.
“There is just no way we can replace Sara,” Styers said. “And we’re not going to bother trying, either. At the end of January, two of our young staffers will take over leadership of the child care program — Laura Daut and Justin Ward.”
Ward said he spent six years as Faulkner’s protegee — “She was my friend and mentor. She taught me, inspired me, and she touched my life in so many ways. Her love of children and her passion for serving sets her apart.”
A teary Daut presented Faulkner with a scrapbook full of letters and good wishes from YMCA staffers.
“Stan asked me to keep this to 25 minutes, and I don’t know if I can make it 25 seconds,” Daut said, dabbing tears away. “There is just no way we can honor 17 years of such service and dedication. Thank you Sara.”
YMCA director of business services Dianne Everhart had a few words of her own.
“Well, you’ve really gone and done it now,” she mock-scolded. “You had us thinking maybe we had convinced you to stay — but you’ve really burst our bubble.
“How do we thank someone who has given so much to so many for so long?”
Faulkner’s retirement party — which, incidentally, was held on the same day she and husband Harold celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary — wouldn’t have been complete without a few remarks from YMCA ambassador Warren King.
“She’s been wonderful to this place,” he said. “The YMCA and the kids just can’t do without Sara. I’ll miss you, but I know your smiling face is always going to shine.”
Faulkner briefly addressed the group at the end of the program.
“It has been a privilege to work with everyone,” she said. “I am so happy and thrilled to see what is in store for the YMCA’s future. You can surely expect bigger and better things from this place in the future.
“I am certainly taking a part of you all with me. I love you all.”
A Salisbury native and longtime Thomasville resident, Faulkner was hired in early 1989 as child care director at the YMCA.
Styers credited Faulkner with adding to the quality of programs provided by the YMCA’s child care division.
“Our after school and summer day care programs were different back then than they are now,” he said. “Parents nowadays have a year-round need for child care.”
Styers said Faulkner took what was “basically a recreational program” and turned it into a high-quality school-aged day care.
“That’s just been huge,” he said. “Her leadership has been the driving force behind that improved quality.”
Styers also said Faulkner’s drive helped earn the YMCA state licensure for its day care programs in the spring of 2004 — a process Styers called arduous.
“It took two years to put everything together, and Sara was right behind it the whole time,” he said. “And we’re looking to license a second site, too.”
Under Faulkner’s administration, Styers added the YMCA’s summer day camps became much more involved and offered longer hours for working parents.
A nursery program evolved into a full-on kids care program, called Kids Club.
“Parents who want to come to the YMCA can bring their kids and know their kids will have their own program to take part in while the parents are busy working out,” he said. “It’s geared for infants and kids as old as middle-school. We’re going to turn it into a family program in 2006 and encourage more opportunities for families to do things together at the YMCA.”
Also during her tenure, Faulkner graced the YMCA with an unfailing ability to hire “only the best.”
“There are a lot of part timers on our staff, just due to the fact that many are in school or what-have-you,” Styers said. “But Sara always hired the absolute best, and she brought a good deal of stability and quality to an area that is usually the victim of a high employment turnover rate.
“Basically, in a few words, I can say this,” he added. “Sara’s biggest contribution over the years was a tremendous increase in the quality of our child care programs. They serve a lot of people and have a huge impact on what we do here.”
At the end of the day Sunday, Faulkner’s friends and peers gathered around her to offer their wishes for a happy retirement.
Through the hugs and tears, it was something said by Dianne Everhart that perfectly characterized the day:
“I just have this to add,” she said. “The back door will always be open, and we’ll leave the light on for you.”
(Jan. 17)