David Beatty, Appointed to YMCA Fellowship of Honour

Ottawa – To thrive, every community needs champions who will advocate for, promote and support the people and institutions who call that community home. For the Brockville community and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, David Beatty has been that champion for over 50 years. David’s commitment and contributions were officially celebrated on Wednesday, September 25th when he received the YMCA Fellowship of Honour medal from The Honourable Senator Ratna Omidvar in Ottawa.

“David has always had an incredible appreciation and commitment to the mission of the Y and understands that YMCA services is a mechanism to building vibrant and healthy communities. In 1977, he led a group to save the YMCA, then on the brink of bankruptcy. Stepping forward with others, he used his business acumen to help ensure the Brockville Y’s long-term survival and strong presence in the community.” said Rob Adams, CEO, of YMCA of Eastern Ontario

David Beatty’s commitment to the Y is unwavering – as a board member, fundraiser and donor, he inspired countless others along the way. In 1996, he rallied the community to raise funds to build the much-loved D. B. Green pool at the Brockville YMCA, the only multi-purpose pool within a 100-kilometre radius. David’s forward-thinking, commitment to community and vision were instrumental in establishing the YMCA of Brockville and Area Foundation in 2008, of which he was a founding investor.

“When the Brockville Y merged with the Kingston YMCA to create the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, he strongly advocated for the foundation to broaden its scope to the newly formed association. Thanks to David’s leadership, in 2023, the foundation completed the steps to legally transition to become the Foundation of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario,” said Charlotte Patterson, Past Chair, YMCA of Eastern Ontario Board of Directors

“David is a long-time resident of Brockville, a business owner, investor and philanthropist. He is a particularly strong supporter of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, being instrumental in building a partnership between the City of Brockville and the YMCA, and being a keen influencer, generating many donations to the YMCA over decades, contributing to the YMCA’s success and impact across Eastern Ontario,” said Matt Wren, Mayor, City of Brockville

About the Fellowship of Honour

The YMCA Fellowship of Honour was established in 1978 as the highest recognition for YMCA volunteers and staff. It is presented every three to four years by its patron, the Governor General of Canada. Today’s appointees join a long list of 111 volunteers and staff whose exceptional contributions have been honoured in one of two Fellowship of Honour categories: as a Companion, for outstanding national and international leadership, or as an Officer, for local or regional leadership contributions.

Appointments to the YMCA Fellowship of Honour are governed by a selection process established by the YMCA Fellowship of Honour Constitution and directed by an Advisory Council composed of a Canadian YMCA leader as Chair, at least three Canadians who have served the YMCA with distinction, the Chair of the YMCA National Board and the National President and Chief Executive Officer. The Council considers nominations received from throughout the Canadian YMCA movement and recommends appointments to the National Board for approval.