Community Hero Ron Ames!

Ron Ames is the Community Hero for the newly named River Valley YMCA in Prior Lake. Ron is a very active member of the Prior Lake YMCA steering committee and has been raising funds to build the new YMCA on the Shepherds Path property in Prior Lake.

“It is a real pleasure and privilege to work with such a fine man, such as Ron. He is motivated, dedicated and when Ron says, “Move!!” we all move. That is the kind of leader I love working side by side with,” states Christa Getchell, Vice President of Financial Development.

Congratulations Ron for being on the foundation level of changing lives and saving lives at the YMCA!!

Pictured: Ron Ames (right) with Harold Mezile (left), President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, and Fred Friswold (center), Capital Campaign Chair

YMCA Scholarships - a Student's Best Friend

Did you know that the YMCA offers scholarships to students planning to attend college or techinical school?

For the past 20+ years, the YMCA’s Albert C. Laxson Scholarship Fund has provided grants to economically disadvantaged post-high school students. Here's a thank-you note from one of this year's recipients, showing how the YMCA reaches out to the youth of our communities:

I would like to thank you for taking the time to consider and award me with the Laxson Scholarship. The YMCA is a large part of my life, and has been for the past four years. It is so nice to be getting this scholarship from the Y. I see what the YMCA does in helping the mission of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, and I am prouid to be a part of that, and it is great that the Y can give back to me in this way. Thank you again!

Candidates for the Laxson Scholarship must demonstrate financial need, and must display academic promise, leadership qualities, and the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Any resident, regardless of race, religion, sex, of the Metropolitan Minneapolis YMCA service area will qualify as an applicant provided he/she is a graduating senior from an accredited high school or has achieved equivalent certification.

This year the YMCA received a record number of applications for the Laxson Scholarship, and as is so often the case, there were not enough scholarships to go around. But it's not too early to start thinking about next year, so if you'd like to help deserving kids go to college, contact the YMCA and ask them how you can help with the Laxson Scholarship!

Steve Wells - Emma B. Howe Community Hero

Steve Wells was presented with the Emma B. Howe YMCA Community Hero award by branch Executive Director Chad Lanners.

Steve adds his YMCA work to an impressive life of community service. A 30-year veteran of the Coon Rapids police force, Steve is current Coon Rapids Police Chief. Steve is an active Volunteer with the Emma B. Howe Y Partners Campaign and Capital Campaign. He donates both financially and physically. Steve also helps out with many special branch events.

Steve is not only a Board Member at the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA, but is the Chair of the Board Development Committee. He also is an active participant on the Executive Committee. Steve is a key contact to community networking.

He and his wife have two kids, Matt and Kristen, and Kristen actually works at the Andover YMCA. Way to keep it in the family, Steve!

Steve epitomizes the hard work and dedication shown by our YMCA community leaders and volunteers. Thanks once again, and congratulations to Steve Wells, a YMCA Community Hero!