YMCA of Collier County Honors Lil Bardon

One day, a friend of Lil Bardon, originally from the Bronx in New York City, took Bardon’s hand and schlepped her into the YMCA’s H.R. department where she was hired on the spot. Twenty years later, Bardon has never looked back with regret. Neither has the Y’s administration. 

Cindy Love-Abounader, President and CEO of the YMCA of Collier County, praised Lil for being “committed to quality service for all those that enter the Y’s doors. “It has been said,” Love-Abounader continued, that “to give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. Thank you, Lil, for wanting to make folks know and understand that they are valued.”

Bardon started her career with the hope of “changing the world into a better one … and if not the global world, at least my little corner of the world.” Bardon summarizes her immediate duties in a phrase “Gain and Retain.” Specifically, Bardon works at the welcoming desk providing customer service in the form of answering questions, signing up new members, and distributing information about the pool, gym, social activities, pickleball and tennis courts, preschool program, after school program, clinical services and the fitness center. Her fiduciary responsibilities include working on special projects and assignments which she finds interesting and fun. 

“One other vital aspect of the Y,” Bardon says, “is our community outreach programs for disadvantaged families and their kids. We don't turn people away; we believe the Y is a place where kids should be.”

Bardon acknowledges her family for instilling in her values very similar to the Y’s values: caring for people, honesty, and acceptance of a diverse population.

Love-Abounader concluded: “Loyal and dedicated employees, like Lil, are the foundation to the Y’s successes. Our YMCA is fortunate to have Lil on the team and I am grateful for her years of service to our organization and our members.”