Y I Support the YMCA

I want to start by telling you about my friend Irene.

Irene came to the Y on the recommendation of her physical therapists after a very lengthy and debilitating illness that left her living with two chronic conditions. When she first started coming, she brought her laminated sheets of exercises and would get in the pool two or three days a week. Some exercises were in the shallow end, others in the deep end. I remember watching her spend long periods of time just floating with her donut rings.

But she kept showing up.

Little by little, Irene started moving more in the water. Eventually, she was able to swim an entire lap.

One afternoon, I ran into Irene as she was getting out of the pool, and she told me she was participating in the Y's 100 Mile Challenge! I was blown away. What really stuck with me was when she told me that our initial conversation, along with the conversations and encouragement that followed, helped motivate her to take on the challenge.  

Someone can make a difference in ways we may never fully realize.

Recently, Irene emailed me to let me know she was getting close to completing her 100 miles. There was absolutely no way I was going to miss being there to celebrate that accomplishment with her!

That's the Y. That's what we do. And that's why I believe in this organization.

There are also two programs at the Y that hold a very special place in my heart.

❤️ LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a small-group cancer survivorship program for individuals living with, through, or beyond cancer. For those of you who know me, my daughter Sophia was diagnosed with cancer as an infant. Today, she is 8 YEARS CANCER FREE! I know firsthand how cancer impacts not just the person diagnosed, but the entire family. Having a program that helps survivors rebuild their strength, confidence, and sense of community means more to me than I can put into words.

Veterans Wellness Program is a free 12-week program dedicated to veterans and their families, focusing on health, wellness, connection, and building a support network. My son proudly served four years in the United States Air Force, so this program is another one that hits close to home. We hear more and more about the serious impact isolation and loneliness can have on someone's health. Sometimes, having a place to belong and people who care makes all the difference.

And then there's me. I've been lucky enough to play basketball pretty much my entire life, and somehow I ended up working at a place where I can walk into a gym with a basketball court every single day. Not a bad deal!

Yes, the Y has basketball courts, swimming pools, and fitness centers. But the Y is SO MUCH MORE than that.

It's a place where someone like Irene can regain her strength and accomplish something she may have once thought impossible.

It's a place where cancer survivors can find support and rebuild their confidence.

It's a place where veterans and their families can connect and find community.

It's a place where people can feel like they belong.

And that's what your donation helps support.

At the end of the day, it's about making our community a better place.

Sometimes it starts with something as simple as a conversation. Just ask Irene. ❤️