Ridgedale YMCA staff surprise Community Hero, Donn Wassink

We honor Donn Wassink as Ridgedale YMCA’s Community Hero!

Donn has served the past few years as a member of the Financial Resources Committee of the Community Board at the Ridgedale YMCA. His attention to detail, organization and ability to manage projects have been key to the success of our Y Partners Annual Support Campaign. Donn’s strong work ethic and great sense of humor make him a true pleasure to work with.

While Donn does not consider himself a fundraiser – the thousands of dollars that have come in because of him speak loudly! Thank you Donn for making an impact in the lives of so many in our community!

"You are keeping me healthy mind & body"

Here is another life-affirming story of how the YMCA makes a difference. This is from a member at the Downtown Y:

I am a Polio survivor. Currently I suffer from Post-Polio Syndrome. I have been a YMCA member for the last 4 years. Once a year I go through a couple of very specific tests, namely EMG, MRI and CT Scans w/ contrast. My last was last week. Four years in a row the results came back indicating: No change. This is considered good, since the expectations are a decline in the Muscle & Nerve functions. My Neurologists contribute this to my continuous work outs either at the 5th floor gym or the pool, and to being highly motivated.

In fact, much of it is due to you, the staff at the Downtown YMCA. Machines, water, chlorine, etc are all almost the same at every health club facility. What differs are the management and the staff. Your heartfelt compassion and care dictated an open door policy without any structural obstacles. I always felt like I am part of your family. You are much open to any suggestion, idea or remark. The staff I deal with to name a few: Joe, Pat, Joel, Sam, Mike, Jason, Cassie and many others on the 2nd, 3rd & 5th floors. You are always cheerful, kind, thoughtful and compassionate. Your level of tolerance is exceptional. Trust me; you are keeping me healthy mind & body. You have a gift: Care & Kindness. Thanks a million Cassie. Thanks a million Jason. Thank you ALL.

Angela Gibbs, YMCA Success Story!

Here’s a very special YMCA Mission Moment. Take a moment to read this story from Fatima Muhammad from the Minneapolis YMCA Black Achievers Program.

I nominated a Black Achiever from North High School for a “Dream Prom” contest with the Morning Show with Mike & Juliet on Fox 9. Angela Grubbs was selected as a finalist for the contest and won! We were flown out to New York this past Sunday and taped the show on Monday. The show will air this Thursday, May 8th at 9 am on Fox Channel 9. North High School’s Prom will also be taped on Saturday for a follow up story. Angela’s amazing story will highlight her accomplishments, the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and North High School.

I recommended Angela for the "Dream Prom" because she deserves to have something given to her. Angela Grubbs has endured a lot of obstacles in her lifetime. Her father has been incarcerated for most of her life and her mother is often out of the home due to her chemical dependency issues. Angela has moved around a lot in her childhood and at one point has spent time in foster care. Angela has always put everyone else before herself. She currently works two jobs to support herself and her younger brother. She is financially responsible for everything in her life and I was afraid Angela would not be able to enjoy her first and last prom because of her life circumstances.

Through it all, Angela is a very mature, bright, and resilient young woman. Angela will be graduating from North High School in June and has been accepted to Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. She has worked so hard throughout her life and it is so nice to see her be rewarded for just being an awesome teen.

This contest came along at the perfect time and to a student that is ever-so deserving. The “Dream Prom” includes a formal dress, shoes, accessories, hair and make-up from professionals, a stretch limo to prom and a photography session from world-renown photographer, Nigel Barker of America’s Next Top Model.

Bob O'Hara - Camp Menogyn Community Hero

Bob O'Hara is probably the most well-traveled Arctic canoer of the last generation. His canoe resume resembles the scroll of chemical ingredients Monsanto wants us to believe are in an orange. He has done all of the rivers with Menogyn Long Trippers several times. He frequently leads workshops on Far North expeditions and is the sought-after guru for all things regarding Canadian Wilderness Canoeing and logistic planning.

His home has a collection of beautiful Inuit art that is probably the best between Toronto and LA. And he shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for the arctic with an inspired educator's energy.

Each spring, Bob invites Menogyn Long Trip Canoe guides over to his home, feeds them dinner, then, after spreading Canadian Hydrographic 1:250,000 maps all over the floor, gets down with them to discuss the intricacies of each bend in the river, rise in elevation and historical site. Our campers learn of thousand-year-old Inuit tent rings, specific safety concerns about weather, high water and ice, find out who is in the town of Baker Lake, and discover what color pack is best to have in the Arctic. This priceless information lends quality and competency to our group leadership and adds so much to the enjoyment and education of our campers.

This month, Bob got at least a small token of our great appreciation for all he has done for Menogyn groups over the years by graciously receiving the YMCA Community Hero Award for Camp Menogyn. Our prodigious thanks to Bob for all his years of service to Menogyn, his passion for the preservation of the land and his enduring friendship with the native people of the area.