Qwest Announces Support of YMCA Beacons

On Tuesday, February 3rd, Qwest presented the YMCA of Metro Minneapolis a check for $7,500.00 to support the YMCA Beacons sites in leadership development. Six Qwest employees, from all aspects of the business, including line workers and the main office, attended a short check ceremony and a went on an extensive tour of the Beacon sites.

Employees interacted with youth and shared their job responsibilities, years of service, and personal testimonies on the importance of graduating, looking for career opportunities in areas where your passion lies, and the importance of volunteering in your community.

Needless to say, Qwest and the Beacons students had a terrific and memorable time together!!

Thank you John Stanoch, President of Qwest and Minneapolis General Board member, for supporting community service and financially supporting the local community.

Ron Goldser - Downtown Community Hero!

The Downtown YMCA is proud to recognize Ron Goldser as Community Hero for February.

Until his retirement at the end of 2008, Ron was a lawyer at Zimmerman Reed, PLLP. He’s now enjoying a well-deserved break, but that hasn’t slowed down this member-since-2003 – he’s a regular at the Monday through Saturday morning classes.

A wine expert par excellence, Ron’s efforts on behalf of the Downtown Y’s 2008 “Wines of the World” gala were outstanding. “He brought this event to a premier level, and we couldn’t have done it without him,” says Cassie Rood, Executive Director of the Downtown Y.

In addition to his time and talent, he also gave generously to the 2008 Y Partners campaign at the Roundtable level, and also persuaded his firm to give at the same level! And his gift was the first Roundtable gift for 2009.

We appreciate Ron Goldser, Downtown’s February Community Hero!

Exergaming Comes to the YMCA

It’s the latest in exercise technology. It’s an investment in the fitness of the young video game-loving generation known as the “millenials.” And it’s coming to the YMCA. So just what is “exergaming”?

Exergaming is the latest fitness activity that uses the human body as a “joystick” to physically drive, and compete with others if one desires, on computer-assisted games, simulating activities such as snowboarding, upright or recumbent bicycling, kick-boxing and dancing . It’s done using handheld remote control devices, or by standing on special electronic mats and directing movements toward a wall screen or console. In the bicycling game, for example, riders control options and track performance while speeding like a race car or experiencing bumpy off-road and mountainous terrain.

The blog PETER (Physical Education Teacher's Exergaming Resource) has several articles on the benefits of exergaming, including this piece that points out how exergaming is breaking link between video games and childhood obesity (one of the five critical community needs that are addressed by the Minneapolis YMCA through our Y Partners annual support campaign).

The Y has already introduced exergaming at the new Elk River branch, with plans to be up and running at the Blaisdell and North Community locations this winter. The goal is to promote fitness and physical activity particularly for children ages eight through ten – an age group considered a critical audience for the Y.

It's another example of how the YMCA continues to invest in the needs of our communities. A big thank-you goes to United Healthcare, whose financial support makes installation of the equipment possible.