About the Ward Legacy Celebration
On Tuesday, November 17, 2026, join friends, neighbors, and community leaders at The Bluestone for the 19th Annual Legacy Celebration hosted by the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA. Celebrate the Y’s lasting legacy as a beacon of hope and connection in the Near East Side neighborhoods and across Columbus. Together, we’ll honor the power of community and our shared commitment to building a future where everyone feels seen, supported, and connected.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. | Event begins at 6:00 p.m.
We welcome our 2026 Ward Legacy Honoree: A Lifetime of Community Impact
Senator Hearcel F. Craig:
State Senator Hearcel F. Craig is Columbus born and raised, an East High School graduate and U.S. Army veteran who has given nearly two decades to this city through Columbus City Council, the Ohio House, and now the Ohio Senate, where he currently represents Ohio's 15th Senate District and holds the position of Assistant Minority Leader.
Senator Craig has brought real investment home to the Near East Side, including $1.65 million for the East Side Dental Clinic and $1 million to renovate the Ohio State African American and African Studies Community Extension Center. In addition, he led the effort that made Juneteenth a paid state holiday in Ohio and secured historic state site designation for Poindexter Village, protecting a piece of this neighborhood's story for generations to come.
Senator Craig is a longtime champion of public recreation centers and the young people who fill them, an Associate Minister at First Church of God, a Prince Hall Mason, and a life member of the NAACP.
An Evening of Belonging
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
6:00 - 8:00 p.m
The Bluestone | 583 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
Map
Parking is available in the lots directly beside and behind The Bluestone.
What to Expect
Heavy hors d'oeuvres and refreshments
Opportunities to connect with local leaders and stakeholders
Stories and reflections from the YMCA's impactful history
A shared vision for the future of community empowerment
Community Impact Award Recipient: Leading Through Mentorship. Mike Bell, Inspiring Youth, Building Community.
Mike Bell:
He is a respected Central Ohio coach, mentor, and community leader whose life has been dedicated to developing youth through sports, education, and mentorship. A 2017 Ohio Dominican University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Bell played men’s basketball for the Panthers from 1991 to 1996, setting school records for career assists (533) and steals (255) while scoring 1,426 points.
Currently, Bell serves as Head Football Coach at East High School and Head Boys Basketball Coach at Columbus North International High School. In 2025, he was named City League Coach of the Year.
Beyond athletics, Bell and his late wife, Yolanda Peaks-Bell, founded the Columbus Daystars Youth Association in 2000 and Higher Peaks Childcare Center in 1999, providing young people and families with opportunities for growth, education, and success. Through initiatives such as the CLIMB Summer Program and Climb Learning Academy, Bell continues to emphasize resilience, leadership, academic achievement, and personal development.
In March 2026, Bell demonstrated extraordinary courage by providing lifesaving first aid to a player who had been shot, earning recognition from the Columbus City Council and School Board. His dedication to coaching, mentorship, and community service continues to inspire young people throughout Columbus and beyond.
A Celebration With Purpose
Safe. Seen. Connected. marks the 19th Annual Ward Legacy Celebration — a tribute to the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA's rich history and a call to invest in the future. Your support ensures the Y remains a vital place of belonging for all ages. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lolita Haverlock (Phone: 614-389-4298, Email: lolita.haverlock@ymcacolumbus.org).
We want to thank and celebrate the generosity and support of all our past honorees.
2025: Charles D. Hillman
2024: Al Edmondson, Tony “Baba” West and Aziza West
2023: Theme: Empowering Our Future (no honoree)
2022: Theme: “You Belong Here” (no honoree)
2021: Virtual Event “Connect 4 Change: 4 Weeks, 4 Causes, 1 Historic Community (YMCA, CPOMS, Columbus Urban League, and the YWCA)
2020: Spring Street YMCA
2019: Hal Keller
2018: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center East; Kim Jordan
2017: Bob Weiler and The Robert Weiler Company
2016: Aminah Robinson; Kojo Kamau
2015: Mr. Otto Beatty; Congresswoman Joyce Beatty; Eric Carmichael
2014: Fred and Kathy Ransier
2013: Dr. William J. Hicks
2012: Mayor Michael B. Coleman; John E. Bickley
2011: Jerry Hammond; Carline Weddington; Greta Russell; Alicia M. Jackson
2010: Thursday Noon Club; Dr. Barbara Nicholson; Kevin Boyce
2009: Charleta Travers; Dr. Wilburn Weddington
2008: Rev. Leon Troy, Sr.; Janet Jackson; Guy L. Reece, II and Shirley Rogers-Reece
Thank You to Our Sponsors
By sponsoring the 19th Annual Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA Legacy Celebration, these generous partners are investing in a stronger, more just community — and in a future where every neighbor feels seen, supported, and empowered.
Their support helps us:
Distribute fresh produce and meals to families in need
Offer safe, supportive youth programs that nurture development
Provide inclusive health and wellness programs for older adults
Create spaces for healing connection and mental well-being
Together, we continue the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family legacy — ensuring it remains a place of hope, healing, and opportunity for generations to come.
