From “Giving Trees” to giving time
Sean Evans reflects on his community service

Wal-Mart Market Manager and YMCA Board Member Sean Evans’ first encounter with the Y came draped in tinsel and with a star on top. It was Christmas 2007, and more than a dozen Wal-Mart stores throughout the Valley participated in the giant undertaking of displaying “YMCA Giving Trees” in their lobbies, with Evans playing a crucial role in organizing the project. Customers and YMCA supporters selected “wish list” ornaments and shopped for youth who received the gifts during a Christmas party at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA. Nearly 500 underprivileged kids received gifts, and it marked the Y’s biggest gift-giving event ever. Sean Evans was on hand to celebrate with joyous families, and even Santa.

“The event was moving. It was really meaningful to see so many deserving children receive Christmas gifts,” said Evans, who was asked to join the YMCA board of directors shortly after helping Operation YMCA Giving Tree become reality. “Being involved gave me an opportunity to engage in the community on a greater level than I had in the past.”

In 2000, Evans relocated from Arkansas and Wal-Mart’s home office to Southern Nevada. He had a broad understanding of the YMCA, but since he wasn’t a member and didn’t utilize the Y growing up, his exposure to the organization was limited. Evans soon learned just how much the not-for-profit impacts the community.

“I was surprised to see how far-reaching the Y was,” said Evans. “When I became a board member, the first thing I told my wife was how serious the board was and how the organization was so professionally run.”

The father of three teenagers, Evans is proud that the Y serves people of all ages, from infants to individuals in their 90s. However, he’s especially pleased that the Y gives youth the opportunity to interact in positive ways with quality individuals – coaches, camp counselors and instructors. He believes that kids are the driving force in the organization that’s dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

“Kids who participate in the Y experience are less likely to be out doing things that could land them in trouble,” said Evans, whose vision for the organization aligns with the board’s vision – to expand accessibility to even more families in the Valley. “Personally, I want to be a top contributor year over year. I find it very rewarding to support the Y and be involved at the board level.”