BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Dr. Tony Kelly is the 35th Spirit of Beckley. It’s a prestigious honor for the emergency physician who has decades of experience treating local coal mining communities.
He’s also representing Region Six of the West Virginia First Foundation to do all he can to help curb the state’s drug crisis.
“When I was approached earlier this year about receiving the award, initially I said there’s gotta be 100 other people that are more deserving,” said the doctor and philanthropist. “I’m humbled and honored; it’s kind of overwhelming.”
Considering everything the doctor has accomplished, his daughter says being named the 35th Spirit of Beckley is well-deserved. The family is so proud of him for all the lives he has touched over the years.
“Out in public somewhere and someone will come up to him and say, ‘You may not remember me but when my wife, husband, daughter, or son was in the emergency room, the way you handled the situation made it so much easier for us,'” said business owner/attorney Aryn Kelly Fonda, the doctor’s daughter. “They’re just very gracious and always say he has such a kind heart.”
The YMCA of Southern West Virginia’s goal was to raise $150,000 in honor of Dr. Kelly and support the Y’s youth programs. They had a record year, raising $160,000. When you support the Y, you’re supporting people across their lifespans.
“Been in Beckley since 1963, and we’ve made a tremendous difference for generations of Becklians and Southern West Virginians,” said YMCASWV CEO Jay Rist. “Makes you feel good when you know there’s a family that’s so entrenched in the Y and what we’re about. Then you see them coming through as the Spirit of Beckley is huge.”
Doctor Kelly arrived in Beckley 40 years ago from the north. He says small communities in Canada and the United States are similar.
“Culturally similar, values are similar, people value family and education and watching their children prosper and grow,” the doctor said.
According to Rist, this is critical money raised so that our kids can continue to have peer-to-peer interaction. More importantly, they’re running the soccer fields and swimming in the pool.
“Learning life skills that may eventually save somebody’s life,” said the CEO. “There’s so many things that come with that.”
Kelly says this recognition means so much.
“It’s a celebration of what the Y is and making life for (all of) us who live here in Southern West Virginia a whole much better place to be.”
