If you represent a group of volunteers, please contact United Way's Volunteer Connection directly by calling (937) 225-3039 or emailing us.

If you represent a nonprofit organization and would like to post your volunteer opportunities, please contact United Way's Volunteer Connection to register. Visit the Agency Tool Kit to learn more about the services provided to nonprofit organizations.

July Community Volunteer of the Month

Susan Kiracofe lives united by inspiring others to live in harmony. Volunteer Connection is pleased to name Susan as the Community Volunteer of the Month for July.

Susan is a Group Exercise Instructor at the Preble County YMCA where she teaches Cycling sessions. As a resident of Eaton, Susan and her family have been members of the Preble County YMCA for many years. She has lived in the Eaton area since she was in kindergarten and loves that she has the opportunity to raise her family in the same friendly neighborhood.

The Preble County YMCA was first established seven years ago. It was at this time that Susan became excited about the buzz of the new facility being developed in the area. Because of her love for exercising and staying healthy, she enrolled in a group cycling course. Other instructors and classmates noticed that Susan had such a natural talent for cycling that they encouraged her to think about teaching the course.

Over the years, the cycling course began to expand, and other instructors were needed to maintain the high demand. Susan then took the YMCA courses necessary to teach Group Cycling so that she could volunteer to teach an early morning class.  The previous instructor was no longer able to teach, and Susan didn't want to see the classes get cancelled. Susan is committed to helping the YMCA members achieve their health and wellness goals.

Susan gets up early enough to be ready to instruct her courses at the YMCA at 5:30am, three times a week. She has donated over 150 hours of service over the past year. Her classes have become so popular and in high demand that members of the Preble County YMCA line up 15 minutes prior to class time to ensure they will have a place during her session. Susan is the harmony amongst the chaos. Susan is a friendly and relatable instructor that allows class members to pick their own pace while being inspired to do their best. Everyone leaves with the feeling of wanting to return.

“Susan has a true talent that is very special, and we are very proud and honored to have her share that talent with the members of the Preble County YMCA” says Abby Helsinger, the Diabetes Prevention Director for the YMCA of the Greater Dayton Area.  Susan also inspires youth to live harmoniously during the school year at East Elementary in Eaton where she is the school librarian. She loves to greet her students and families when she encounters them at the YMCA. “It is always exciting to see who will be in attendance at my next class” says Susan. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and two children at the Preble County YMCA.

United Way’s Volunteer Connection is proud to recognize Susan Kiracofe as Community Volunteer of the Month.

Do you work for a nonprofit organization and think one of your volunteers should be our next volunteer of the month?  Click here to complete our nomination form!