Another gift of CBC retiree and local legend J.D. Lewis’ generosity has come to fruition. The Garner Road YMCA dedicated the J.D. Lewis Multi-Purpose Center on Tuesday, April 19, 2005.
J.D. Lewis’ daughter Yvonne Lewis-Holley helped cut the ribbon in her father’s honor. |
The First Congregational Male Choir provided a musical selection for the ceremony. |
Lewis’ children Lee Lewis (left) & Yvonne Lewis-Holley took part in the dedication. |
When Lewis retired from CBC in 1997 after over four decades as a broadcaster, personnel director and directory of minority affairs, he asked to forego the customary retirement gift. Instead Lewis asked CBC to contribute to the Garner Road YMCA, his favorite organization. So, CBC and the AJ Fletcher Foundation donated $100,000 to kick-start the building fund for the new center.
The crowd bowed for a benediction at the close of the ceremony. |
Special cakes honored Lewis and the new Garner Road YMCA facility. |
CBC’s Paul Pope offered comments about Lewis at the dedication. |
The dedication ceremony took place from 6-8pm, and included dinner and tours of the new facility. CBC’s VP of Community Relations Paul Pope made special remarks as part of the program which also included a variety of musicians and speakers.
Lewis was unable to attend the event for health reasons, but his children appeared on his behalf, ceremonially cutting the ribbon for their father.
Lewis helped establish the Garner Road YMCA shortly after World War II, serving on its board from its inception. He also chaired the board for many years.
Groundbreaking for the center took place in December 2002. Lewis’ own retirement ceremony had taken place at the Garner Road YMCA a few years previous.
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“Paving” A Way To Legacy at the J.D. Lewis Multipurpose Center
The Garner Road Young Men’s Christian Association Board of Directors is undertaking a great initiative to erect the J.D. Lewis Multipurpose Center that will be located on Garner Road behind the historic Garner Road YMCA in Southeast Raleigh, NC.
In preparation for the new facility, persons, groups and companies will have the opportunity to purchase a brick to be placed on the “Legacy Walkway” surrounding the new facility. With a donation, a brick will be engraved and then will be displayed for a lifetime! Your name, names of your children, a company or class, or a Civic or Social Group can be added. $500 donations will be placed at entrance way, $250 donations in the front of the building and $100 donations sporadically placed around building.
Click here for the order form.
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