December Newsletter

by Kristi Potts on 12/05/15

THIS IS YOUR Y
December 2015

IN THIS ISSUE
-Turkey Trot
-Member Spotlight
-Volunteer of the Month
-Fire Truck Rides
-Adopt a Child For Christmas
-Leadership Conference
-Lockers Ad
-Letter of the Month
-Annual Campaign
-Volunteer
-Winter Activities  

TURKEY TROT

The Montgomery County Family YMCA held the 21st Annual Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Trot" Run/Walk event on Thanksgiving morning.

This year’s event drew over 140 competitors that braved the wet and chilly weather to participate in either the 5 Mile Run or the 2 Mile Run-Walk and was sponsored by HyVee of Red Oak, Fareway of Red Oak, Red Oak Glass & Awning, KFC/Taco Bell of Red Oak, and All American Turf Beauty, Inc. Fareway and HyVee donated gift cards and free turkey certificates respectively to the first place winners of the different age divisions of the two and five mile runs.

The overall winners were:

2 Mile Male – Jared Hoffman of Carson, IA 13:18
2 Mile Female – Anna Young of Elliott, IA 15:46
5 Mile Male – Josh Falk of Iowa City, IA 29:14
5 Mile Female – Allison Young of Elliott, IA 37:47

For more information on the winners for all categories visit us atwww.mcymca.com or on Facebook.

A limited quantity of Adult Large & Adult X-large are available. Stop at the customer service desk to purchase yours!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT UPDATE
DOROTHY BETSINGER

Dorothy Betsinger first started coming to the YMCA in 2002 after her doctor diagnosed her with type 2 diabetes due to her weight. She started with watching her diet and walking around the indoor walking track and progressed to taking some of the aquatics aerobics classes. “I don’t know how to swim, but I’m not afraid of the water and the water aerobics is gentler. Now, if I miss a session, I really feel it.” She said about the classes she has been taking faithfully since.

Before long she had lost 50 pounds and no longer needed to take the diabetes medication. The exercise also helped her with her arthritis and to recover better after her hip surgery a few years later. Her goal is to continue with her exercise regimen of 60 minutes 2 or 3 times a week because as she put it, “I was born in 1923 and I’m kinda trying for 2023”.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH
BOOKS & BLESSINGS VOLUNTEERS

TOGETHERHOOD committee member Abigail Sherman spearheaded the Books & Blessings program because she saw a need to promote reading in the middle school, so she formed the program with the help of the Red Oak High School Student Council and the Togetherhood Committee. Boxes were provided at the Red Oak High School, Washington Intermediate, the YMCA, Fareway, and HyVee for people to drop off books from November 1st-20th.

On Tuesday, the 23rd 6 boxes of books were distributed at Washington Intermediate to the kids while members of the student council (Ashley Brower, Ryan Dyson, Sydney Straw, Bailey Bruce, Weston Rolenc, Maia Erickson-Woods, Sarah Behrens, Sydney Streicher, Lainie Edie, Courtni Lindsay, Isaac Birt, Madison Wendt, and Abigail Sherman) took turns reading to them.

The TOGETHERHOOD social responsibility program provides Y members with an easy, fun, and rewarding way to volunteer for service projects that strengthen our community. The program is run by a committee of Y members (John Blomstedt, Ellen Griffen, Gerry Lundgren, Courtney Meyer-Y USA Togetherhood Facilitator, Margarita Montes, Beth Olsen, Nikki Rengstorf, Abigail Sherman, and Nick Zimmer) that helps organize and run four service projects a year with only a one year commitment. For more information on the TOGETHERHOOD program and how you can be involved, please call 712-623-2161 or e-mail Gerry Lundgren at gerrylun@myfmtc.com.

FIRE TRUCK RIDES
Fire Truck Rides will be given on Friday, December 11th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the YMCA’s multi-purpose room. There is no registration for this event; however you will need to complete a program release of liability form before going on the ride.  Please meet in the YMCA’s multi-purpose room.

Rides on the truck are FREE and chaperones are provided. Rides leave approx. every 20 minutes.

Santa will be present to visit with children before or after their rides.

Event  Sponsors: Fareway of Red Oak, Red Oak Greenhouse of Red Oak, the Montgomery County Family YMCA’s Auxiliary Club, the Altrusa Club of Red Oak, and Dave and Debbie Gammell of Elliott, IA.

ADOPT A CHILD FOR CHRISTMAS

The TOGETHERHOOD Committee of the Montgomery County Family YMCA is sponsoring Adopt a Child for Christmas. We have many children in our area that will not receive any special gifts this year for Christmas.

The need is there…now we just need sponsors. This is an opportunity that we have to show our children and other family members how to give to those in need this Christmas. Each child’s gift should not exceed $40 (and can be less).

If you are interested in this program, pleased stop by the YMCA, call 712-623-2161, or visit the YMCA’s website at www.mcymca.com to pick up one of the Adopt a Child for Christmas forms December 1^st – 15^th  or to receive more information and help make a child’s wish come true.

 

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The Montgomery County Family YMCA sent volunteer Gerry Lundgren, Aquatics Director Missy Stickland, and Executive Director Nick Zimmer to the 2015 Fall Iowa YMCA Alliance of YMCA's Leadership Conference on Wednesday & Thursday, November 4th & 5th, 2015 in Indianola, Iowa. The conference took place at Simpson College and the Summerset Winery and was focused on educating, connecting, and inspiring in fueling community transformation.

Lundgren chairs the Montgomery County Family YMCA's Togetherhood Committee which helps YMCA members to serve on a service committee for a term of one year to scope and run projects that help strengthen our community/area.  Service projects are designed to make a meaningful impact while being rewarding, convenient, and fun!

Some of the workshops and general sessions that were offered over the two day's of learning and networking included: Impact through Advocacy, Team Innovation and Design, Creating A Culture of Philanthropy, Strengthening A Community Through Capital Projects, How to Engage, Inspire and Empower Others, The Spirit of Collaborations : Building Capacity Through Consolidation and Collaboration, Networking for Results, and Partnerships that Lead to Community Transformation.

There was time for each of the YMCA's Iowa Alliance Affinity groups (Childcare, Facilities, Youth/ Family, Health and Wellness, Financial Development, HR/ Finance, and Membership and Marketing) to meet and plan for the new year in 2016.

HOLIDAY PUNCH CARDS

In celebration of the upcoming New Year, the YMCA is offering a limited time punch card of 10 visits for $35! These not only are perfect stocking stuffers for your friends and family, but a great way for you to get started on your wellness journey in 2016.

The Punch Cards are available to purchase November 21st - December 31st, 2015!

• No purchase limit!
• Punch cards must be used before February 15th, 2016.

Added Bonus

Bring in the punch card to start a new membership by February 15th, 2016, and you will receive a $50.00 credit on your membership.

Punch Card total value $150!

ANNUAL LOCKERS
AVAILABLE

Tired of lugging that heavy gym bag back and forth?  Want to be able to go directly from the Y to work or other activities?

Consider purchasing a locker!

Lockers in the Men’s/Boy’s Locker Room, Women’s/Girl’s Locker Room, and Family Locker Room can be rented annually for only $60 for the medium lockers and $90 for the large lockers. So forget the hassle of remembering your swim suit, shampoo, sneakers, etc. and see someone at the front desk today!

LETTER OF
THE MONTH 

ICE SKATING INSPIRATION 

WE’RE MORE THAN A GYM.
WE’RE A CAUSE.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteering is something that EVERYONE can do! 
Let us help you find a way to share your time, talent, and treasure.

VOLUNTEER IN 3 EASY STEPS:

STEP 1 - Find a volunteer opportunity that you are interested in and contact the appropriate Y staff.

STEP 2 - Complete a volunteer application form at the YMCA’s Front Desk or on our website www.mcymca.com.

STEP 3 - Show up and make a difference!

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

The Montgomery County Family YMCA’s Annual Campaign Is designed so that everyone in Montgomery County and throughout the area has access to vital community/ area programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

This year, the Montgomery County Family YMCA has raised $59,365.71 so far.

To learn more about how you can support the Y’s cause, please contact Nick Zimmer, Executive Director at 712-623-2161 or

execdir@mcymca.com.

Did you know that you can contribute to our Montgomery County Family YMCA using AmazonSmile when you make purchases?

The link to the account is: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/42-1433436

Thank you for any support you give to our YMCA through this program.

 

 WINTER HOURS

Monday-Thursday          
5 am - 9 pm
Friday
5 am - 8 pm
Saturday
8 am - 4:30 pm
Sunday
2 - 7 pm
*FACILITY HOURS DO NOT REFLECT POOL HOURS. 

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH
5 am - Noon
Pool open 5:30 – 7 a.m. & 9 – 11 a.m.

CHRISTMAS DAY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25TH
Closed

DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26TH
Closed

NEW YEAR’S EVE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31ST
5 am - 7 pm
Pool open 5:30 – 7 a.m., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 4 – 6 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2015
10 am - 5 pm
Pool open 11 am - 4 pm 

UPCOMING WINTER ACTIVITIES

Fire Truck Rides
December 11th

Adopt a Child for Christmas
Gift Distribution
December 19th

Ongoing Programs

Private Swim Lessons
Early Risers Boot Camp
Jazzercise
Tumbling
Martial Arts
Adult Tennis Lessons
Youth Tennis Lessons
Yoga
Express Pump

Registration forms are located in the lobby information kiosk and online at www.mcymca.com.

The Y Would Like To Thank Our Newsletter Sponsors! 

*If you have questions or wish to receive this newsletter via e-mail,
please e-mail astewart@mcymca.com.