It was basically a triple-dog dare.
When retired businessman J.E.R. Chilton pledged $500,000 towards a new East Dallas YMCA facility if an additional $500,000 was raised within one year, the stuff and volunteers raced to meet the deadline. Approximately 40 business donated the funds and by December 1998, what has become known as the “Chilton Challenge” was met. Chilton added $500,000 of his own money to the batch and the new facility for the East Dallas YMCA was on its way.
For their leadership, fundraising abilities, long-range planning strategies and tireless efforts in the new Y project, the Advocate named Rex Aymond and Milo Segner this year’s recipients of the Advocate Award. The award spotlights an individual or individuals who consistently have worked behind the scenes to make the neighborhood a better place to live. East Dallas YMCA Executive director, Val England has known Aymond since 1981 and Segner since 1990. “They’re both strong advocates for the Y. They’re very strong advocates for their community and their volunteerism. They’re always there, ready and willing to serve their community,” she said. England said Aymond has worked diligently to raise the money for the new facility while Segner has spent time and energy researching space for the new location. She said that the roles Aymond and Segner have played in new facility plans have been crucial to meeting the Chilton Challenge. “I’m very honored, especially when I know the number of people in East Dallas who do so much good for so many organizations,” said Aymond, a life-long Lakewood resident and manufacturer’s representative for BP Sales of Dallas. Milo Segner, forensic CPA and managing partner at Litzler, Segner, Shaw, McKenney & Dohmeyer, LLP, of Dallas agreed and added, “I think everybody needs to get a piece of this (award) —- the volunteers, staff, everybody. I can’t emphasize enough the quality of the volunteers and the quality of the staff …. that’s why I enjoy doing what I’m doing.”
The Medicine Man
Since childhood, Aymond has been a part of the YMCA. “It’s my charity of choice and place that I love,” he said.
At the age of 17, Aymond was nominated youth governor of Texas through the YMCA Youth and Government Program. College followed, and after graduating from the University of Texas, Aymond’s active role in the YMCA climbed from resident member to board member. “I’ve done basically every job you could on the board,” he said. As a single father to daughters, Robin, age six, and Frankie, age 10, Aymond said the Y provides a way for him to stay actively involved in his children’s lives, whether it’s as the Medicine Man with the Indian Princesses program or as a spectator at swimming lessons. “Times change and opportunities change and what’s available to children changes. Children’s needs haven’t really changed … they want fun, they want challenge and they want to feel cared for. In the hectic, busy world everyone’s got now … it gets more and more difficult to do … so that’s where I see the YMCA able to fit in and help fill a need as we try to provide programs that do those very same things,” he said.
The Chief Segner has been active in the Y for more than 12 years. “My philanthropy is concentrated with the YMCA — I fell in love with it. I was invited to join a group of fathers and sons in Indian Guides back with my first son … and through Indian Guides, I’ve expanded my base of friends in the neighborhood, gotten to know some wonderful people … we still have annual reunions,” he said. “Now the boys are bigger than the dads.” With the Indian Guides program, Segner held the title of co-chief. Now that his sons Trey, age 17, and Taylor, age 13, have outgrown the program, Segner has volunteered as a basketball coach, has served on several committees and has been Chairman of the Board since 1997. “The mission statement pretty much says it all — the Y is there to help build strong kids, strong families and strong communities … It is right in the middle of our East Dallas community and it serves everybody. It brought me closer to my neighbors and opened my eyes,” he said.
In With the New
When it became apparent that the community had outgrown its facility at 6220 Worth Street, the staff and volunteers began searching for a new location. “With the little Y that we have there it is difficult to expand the membership base,” said Segner. “YMCAs are either program-driven or membership-driven. The demand for additional programming kept growing.” Led by Aymond and Segner, the 15-member Chilton Challenge Committee scouted for a place that would provide Y members the kind of programming and services they needed. And the committee wanted to find a way to tie in programming with White Rock Lake. That’s when the committee found the Gaston Bazaar building on Gaston Avenue. Currently in operation as a flea market, the building is slated for renovation as soon as the tenants move out, which may be as early as April, said Aymond. Located at a prime intersection close to White Rock Lake, the new digs will provide ample meeting space for businesses, organizations and associations, and will be a perfect stop-off for lake bikers and joggers. “I think that the Y will become a great addition to the lake,” said Segner. By late fall, the new 36,000 square foot Y is expected to be operational. The new facility, which will offer programs for senior citizens and adult fitness, will also feature swimming pools, workout facilities and increased day care. And because the new facility is so close to White Rock Lake, there will be more opportunities for water sports. “This is such a positive for the neighborhood,” said Aymond. With the move to Gaston, the Worth location will be turned into a single-family residence.
The Campaign
In late March/early April, the Chilton Challenge Committee plans to take its fundraising campaign to the public in hopes of raising at least $1 million to match the existing $1 million originally collected from the Chilton Challenge. According to Aymond, the first phase of the new facility will cost approximately $2 million, but the more money raised, the more programming and events the facility will be able to offer.
The Chilton Challenge Committee is currently working with architects on the design phase of the project. Of the 22 Dallas YMCA branches, the East Dallas facility will probably be the second largest, said Segner.
The Future
Segner and Aymond both attribute the success of the Chilton Challenge to working with others. “I think what motivates me is the other people (on the committee and in the community) along with the staff,” said Segner.
With the goal of giving back to the community, both have selflessly dedicated hours of time and energy to finding a way to bring parents and children together for fellowship, family, athletics and community.
“The most fun I’ve had is Chilton Challenge and the campaign because of the excitement and the ability to give something back,” Aymond said. “It’s great to be part of doing something for my children and the children to come in East Dallas — we’re going to leave them a better YMCA.”
