One Saturday morning, she was surprised to see a woman leaving the building at 6:40 a.m., just 10 minutes after the facility opened.

"I said, 'Boy, that was a quick workout,'" Brock said. "She said, 'No, I come in to take a shower before I go to work ... I live in my car, and the Y gives me a subsidized membership, which gives me a place to clean up before work.' "

Brock was stunned. "I said, 'Well, that puts it all in perspective,' " she said.

The Los Gatos resident researched the subsidized membership program and found that each YMCA offers community campaign membership grants to low-income or otherwise needy members. She volunteered to help raise funds for the campaign and will be honored for her efforts at the YMCA's annual recognition dinner May 24.

YMCA spokesman Paul Lukes said Brock was one of 15 volunteers from throughout the region chosen for recognition. One adult and one teenager from each of the seven branches in the Santa Clara Valley are honored, and a legacy award is given to one outstanding supporter.

"Honorees must volunteer on a regular basis and model the YMCA values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility," Lukes said in an email to the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.

According to Kristine Kirkendall, health and wellness director at the Central YMCA, Brock modeled those characteristics and more.

"She's been what we consider to be a leader in the branch," Kirkendall said. "She's someone who is a spokesmodel for YMCA."

Brock took on fundraising duties with zeal. Fundraisers for the community campaign take place during February, when members call other members to solicit donations. Volunteers are expected to raise about $700, while Brock has raised as much as $3,000.

"Most of the donations are $10 or $20, and every so often you'll get somebody who says $50," Brock said.

Her encounter with the homeless woman made Brock realize that the YMCA was not just a run-of-the-mill recreational facility. Kirkendall said the organization offers traditional youth programs in addition to senior activities, childcare, camps, infant swim lessons and a teen center.

"One of the greatest misconceptions is that we're just the 'swim and gym' place," Kirkendall said. "We're for any age, and we have a wide variety of activities."

To volunteer with or make a donation to the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley, visit www.scvymca.org or call 408.298.3888.