ATLANTA – Austin Aldridge of Covington will receive the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 2013 Volunteer of the Year award for his service at the Covington Family YMCA.

His work will be honored at the annual volunteer recognition dinner Nov. 4.

A "Y" volunteer since 2004, Aldridge coordinates the Y’s academy soccer program for ages 7–12.

He works throughout the entire soccer program by scouting and recruiting players and coaches for the academy teams, talking to parents about the program, and explaining the "why" behind everything the Y does.

"Austin is our biggest cheerleader for Y soccer," says Louly Hay-Kapp, executive director of the Covington Family YMCA.

"He puts the Y before himself to benefit the program, giving an unthinkable amount of time and energy.

"Austin truly goes to any length to see the program succeed, so kids can be given (an) opportunity to grow."

"Austin understands the value of soccer,’’ Hay-Kapp continued.

"YMCA soccer is not just a sport, but a family and character-building program. He understands how the Y builds people, not players, and has positive long-term impact."

Born and raised in Covington, Aldridge is the minister to students at First Baptist Church of McDonough.

He’s involved in the South Atlanta Student Ministries Alliance, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief and other community organizations.

He and his wife, Kimberly, have two children, Tristan, 11, and Karissa, 8.