YMCA News and Press Releases
Good things are always happening at The Tri-Cities Family YMCA. Here, you can keep up to date on the most recent news about our facility, health and fitness programs, social services, and other announcements on what’s happening here at the Y.
YMCA Kicks off 34th year of Youth Basketball Saturday, January 14th
Over 400 boy and girls will be at the Tri-Cities Family YMCA throughout Saturday enjoying their first game of this year’s YMCA Youth Basketball league. 46 teams with kids spanning the ages of 5 to 12 compete in four different divisions. But competition isn’t the overriding theme. “We want every child in our community to have a chance to learn the importance of team work, learn a new sport, develop new skills, have the opportunity to make new friends and most importantly, have fun while being competitive,” said Brett Carter, YBL Director. “You don’t have to be an athlete to learn and enjoy the game of basketball in our program,” Carter said. This year there are 71 volunteer coaches giving their time to make sure that everyone involved is having a great experience. Even the referees, many of which are local High School students, previously in the program as players, take time to teach as they call the games.
It takes an entire community of people, as well as local business, to help sponsor teams to pull off a program of this magnitude. The local Chemical Bank branch made sure this program would be of top quality. They provided a $10,000 gift and became the title sponsor for the program. The YMCA was able to replace a gym curtain divider to effectively split the gym in two, which doubles the number of games being able to be played. Barb Skeels, Chemical Bank’s Branch Manager, was able to attend a practice of “dinky dunkers” a team made up of 5 year olds. “It is so wonderful to see even kindergarteners learn the value of working as a team,” said Skeels. “We are thrilled to support the YMCA and the YBL program.” With Chemical Bank leading the way, 33 local businesses also sponsored teams. Community support such as this allows the YMCA to also provide scholarships so that all can play, regardless of ability to pay.
Strong Kids Campaign Goal Exceeded
Tri-Cities Area Family YMCA Executive Director Dean Buntley announced that the Y’s annual Strong Kids Campaign exceeded its fundraising goal for the 2011 campaign.
“A goal of $40,000 was set to help fund the YMCA Scholarship program and $41,165 was raised thanks to many campaigners that told the YMCA story to prospective supporters,” Buntley said.
Buntley explained that 2011 contributors to the campaign came from community businesses, Y members, the Y Board of Directors, YMCA staff, grants, and members of our community that want to see our YMCA continue its charitable work with young people.
The chair for this year’s campaign was board member Paul Bedient.
“Paul’s leadership was a great reason why the campaign was a success,” Buntley said. “Paul and the rest of the campaign volunteers donated their time to make this crucial campaign a success.”
One added feature to this year’s campaign was the addition of on-line contribution opportunities through links distributed via email, Facebook and the Y’s website.
Last year, 821 individuals and families were able to participate in YMCA programs with the help of scholarships provided by the Strong Kids Campaign.
“This is a great testament to the work our YMCA staff does with kids,” Bedient said. “YMCA programs are known and respected in our community as being essential to a person’s health and well being. It’s our goal to serve people regardless of their ability to pay,” Bedient said.
A special thank you goes out to all our YMCA members and staff that supported the campaign. You truly help our YMCA be the community treasure it is. If you missed out on this opportunity, we look forward to your support in 2012. Click here for more information on Strong Kids.
Preschoolers Learn Geography from “Gingerbread Man” Adventure
December 19, 2011
“Losing to Win” teams up with the Grand Haven Tribune
December 16, 2011
http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/losers-sought-losing-win-contest
New Website Launch Press Release
December 5, 2011
Parking Lot Update
On October 17th, Grand Haven City Council approved the master site plan for Mulligan’s Hollow completed by Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio. This is a major step towards addressing the many issues our YMCA members experience when it comes to pedestrian safety and parking. There are elements of safer walkways, redirection of traffic, and increased parking that will make a huge impact in all the recreational activities at and around the YMCA. One long term element shows the relocation of the softball field which is of particular interest to both the Ski Bowl and the YMCA. If an even better softball field were to be built in another location, that additional parking space could help our YMCA substantially address parking needs, safer entrance reconfiguration, added handicap spaces and future building needs.
THANK YOU to the many Y members that sent emails and came to the meetings to show support.
Dean Buntley, Your Director
Chemical Bank Grant
Great news! After 2 years of cultivation, Chemical Bank has agreed to grant our YMCA $10,000 to replace our gym divider in the East gym!
We still have the original curtain (1975) with duck tape hanging from holes trying to keep it together. This will be a much needed improvement going into our basketball season.
Special thanks to Brett who go the ball rolling 2 years ago. You never know when those “seeds” planted long ago will come to fruition. Our hope is to have the divider in before fall 2 programming starts.
TRUEStretch
Donated by Shoreline Sport & Spine
You may have noticed an unusual looking cage type apparatice in the weight room recently. It’s called a TRUEstretch and it was generously donated by Shoreline Sport & Spine. The TRUEstretch provides a dedicated, self-contained stretching area that allows users a safe platform for stretching to increase flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. An easy-to-follow exercise guide is displayed on the frame, so go ahead and give it a try!
