AUBURN — Four members of the Lewiston-Auburn community will be recognized at the YMCA’s second annual Hall of Fame celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Martindale Country Club.

They are Stephen B. Austin, Muriel Bureau, James Lawler and Pennell Woodard.

The celebration is part of the Y’s annual meeting, which recognizes the Y’s nearly 150 years of serving the greater Androscoggin County communities.

CEO Steve Wallace said, “This year’s inductees represent over 150 years of combined service to Lewiston-Auburn youth and families. They are setting the bar high for the Y’s next 100 years.”

Elizabeth Shea of Auburn chairs the 2016 Hall of Fame selection committee, which is responsible for reviewing nominations from the local community as well as Y members and leadership.

“Our priority was finding people who had made extraordinary and tangible contributions to the YMCA,” said Shea. “Without a doubt, all four honorees represent the best of Y values, but they each have done so in their own way.”

Austin is a former president of the YMCA board of directors, where he played a central role in establishing the YMCA endowment. In the 1980s, he shepherded the Y through a critical leadership transition, serving as mentor to Lawler, who is also being recognized this year.

Bureau has been a faithful YMCA volunteer for nearly 30 years. To this day, she arrives every Monday through Friday at 4:30 a.m. to open the Y and greet its most die-hard members. For thousands of people, Bureau is the face of the Y.

Lawler began his 30-plus years of Y service in 1980 as sports director. Lawler assumed the role of executive director in 1988 and oversaw the Y’s evolution into the organization it is today. Widely recognized for his fiscal responsibility, his team is credited with strengthening the Y’s endowment, introducing fitness and wellness programming, and starting early childhood and school-age curriculum.

Woodard is a lifelong member of the YMCA and a tireless advocate for youths. He established the historic Biddy Basketball program, served as president of the board of directors and founded the YMCA NAPA Charity Golf Tournament. Since 2010, the tournament has raised more than $250,000 for youth scholarships. He will be honored officially at this year’s tournament on Sept. 15 at Martindale Country Club.

The YMCA Hall of Fame was established in 2015. The inaugural class of honorees included Col. James Bouchles, Pauline Bourgoin, Richard Kendall and Malcolm Philbrook.

The event is free and open to the public. Donations in honor of the 2016 Hall of Fame class are welcome.

Attendees are asked to register by Nov. 23 due to limited space. They may do so by calling 207-795-4095, by emailing [email protected], or visiting www.alymca.org.