By Andrew Coakley
FN Sports Editor
You've heard of the "Perry Shuffle" and the "Vola dance", well, Karon Johnson, Executive Director of the YMCA, has her own one-two step, foot shuffle that's a rare sighting.
Actually, it only comes out when she receives exciting news about the YMCA.
So, on Saturday morning, Karon danced to her heart's content, after she received news from a corporate sponsor to pay for the entire refurbishing of the YMCA.
"I'm so excited, I don't know what to do, but dance," said Karon, talking to the press after the announcement was made.
The news came during the official opening of the Legacy Baseball season on Saturday morning on the YMCA playing field. Guest speaker for the opening ceremony, Jasper Knabb announced that he would donate $160,000 to the YMCA, to assist in its rebuilding stages.
"I couldn't believe it," said an excited Johnson. "It's been a long haul and Mr. Jasper Knabb just made my day. I'm happy and I'm sure all the parents who were here at the opening of baseball are happy about that announcement.
Knabb, CEO of Pegasus Wireless Communication, during his opening ceremony remarks, talked about how he was a product of a YMCA and how being at the YMCA in his growing years, helped to form him and lead him in the right direction.
Because of his positive experience in growing up at a YMCA, Knabb thought it only fitting that he give to the Grand Bahama YMCA, knowing that once the facility is up and running the way it should once again, it will continue to have a positive impact on the kids of Grand Bahama.
Johnson said the contribution will help to restore the YMCA to 100 percent operation, before the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005.
She noted that the basketball gym was the Board's main focus and says plans will be put into place to have the gym rebuilt as soon as possible.
"I'm so excited, but I want to see it completed," added Johnson.
"The basketball gym will be repaired completely and in addition to that, we're looking to resurface the field area, because that's been long overdue."
Actually, those are the two main areas of concern for the YMCA, in terms of getting back to operating at 100 percent.
Thanks to previous gracious sponsors, the YMCA was able to get its pool and its fitness centre up and running.
"We know that without the help of many Grand Bahamians who came to our aid after the storms, we would not be up this far," said Johnson.
"We are truly grateful to the many corporate sponsors and individuals who gave unselfishly to the YMCA to keep us going and to get us up off our backs.
"Pegasus coming on-board shows that the unity of corporate sponsors and the community is what its gonna take to be effective in the community of Grand Bahama.
"This is a domino effect. This donation will allow us to now do more in the community of Grand Bahama and provide more for the children of Grand Bahama."
The Karon Shuffle was more than just about receiving good news about sponsorship, but it may be a way of Johnson shaking off the burden that has been on her shoulders since the hurricane of 2004.
"That announcement is a gift that I will remember for a long, long time," said Johnson.
Johnson said that the Board of the YMCA will sit with the contractor as early as Monday to see what it will take to complete the repairs to the basketball gym.
She says that hopefully within the next six months or so, the YMCA will be restored to where it once was, or restored even better than it was.
FIRST PITCH - CEO of Pegasus Wireless, Jasper Knabb throws out the first pitch to officially declare the 2007/2008 Legacy Baseball Season open. Knabb, who was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies on Saturday morning at the YMCA grounds, committed funds to the restoration of the YMCA. (Sports photos by Jenneva Russell)
