Sheriff Billy Carlisle has been selected to serve as the 2009 Chairman of the Dawson County/Dawsonville Finance Drive for the State YMCA of Georgia.

The Finance Drive is currently underway to support the State YMCA program in middle and high schools in Georgia through Hi-Y, Tri-Hi-Y and Co-ed “Y” Clubs.

“Y” Clubs are leadership-development, service-oriented, faith-based school clubs for sixth through 12th grade students statewide.

These “Y” Club members learn by doing. They conduct monthly school and community service projects and participate in a variety of conferences geared toward government education and Christian character. Carlisle said the clubs are positive opportunities for youth.

“These are faith based organizations that give students opportunities to gain leadership skills and moral responsibility,” he said.

“I’ve been involved for a couple of years, and I’m very proud to be a part of this group.”

In Dawson County, active “Y” Clubs can be found at Dawson County High School, Dawson County Middle School and Riverview Middle School.

The State YMCA of Georgia Inc. was chartered in 1929 to develop leadership skills and a sense of moral and civic responsibility in middle school and high school students throughout the state.

Youth-in-Government programs, leadership training and character education initiatives based on Christian principles are offered at the district and statewide levels to complement the work of service-oriented, school-based “Y” Clubs. For more information on the State YMCA of Georgia, visit www.yclub.org or call (770) 455-9622.