You can't always say a company's slogan reflects the sentiments of its executives, but Nancy Bonell, Vice President of Operations of YMCA Southcoast, has taken the Y's motto, "building strength in our community," to heart.

The phrase has been the operating philosophy of the YMCA, a worldwide organization, since it was founded in 1844.

"It's all about connections," Bonell said. But her actions speak louder than her words.

Since Bonell moved to Wareham seven years ago to launch the Gleason Family YMCA, located at 33 Charge Pond Road, she has become an integral part of the community. Even after her promotion to Vice President of Operations, you can still find her working out along side her customers at the Wareham Y at 6:30 a.m. every day before she heads to her New Bedford office.

Bonell helped open the $10 million facility with founder Dr. Charles Gleason through grassroots fundraising. "It has gone way beyond what we'd imagined," she said. What started six years ago with 4,000 members now accommodates twice as many gym-goers.

Despite the steady increase in membership, Bonell said she still has her work cut out for her. "Sixty-percent of people who come in are 'heath-seekers' who are on and off with their routines," she explained. "We are working to encourage longevity."

One way the YMCA Southcoast is moving toward that goal is through the Voices for a Healthy Southcoast campaign. Campaign organizers partnered with the Center for Disease Control to build a community health action response team, which focuses on promoting long-term physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco prevention.

Earlier this month, Bonell helped kick off the campaign at the State House in Boston, where she spoke about the need for legislation to increase the hours, consistency, and quality of physical education in all grade levels in Massachusetts schools.

Voices for a Healthy Southcoast is another result of Bonell's effort to build connections within the community. In addition to the Center for Disease Control, the campaign organizers partner with Southcoast Hospitals under the direction of Donna Querim.

"We met through our sons at Wareham High School," Bonell explained. The two are currently working together to bring the project to fruition.

Bonell has been a part of the YMCA family since attending a YMCA camp in New Hampshire when she was 10 years old. "I've been with it ever since," she said with a laugh.

She became a camp counselor while an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire, a position she kept until getting her master's in administration from Springfield College in Massachusetts. Bonell spent several years managing smaller YMCAs in the New England area before jumping on the opportunity to open the Gleason Family YMCA.

For more information about the YMCA and its programs, visit ymcasouthcoast.org.