Downtown YMCA Recognizes Community Hero Lyman Demaray!

Lyman Demaray, a longtime volunteer for the Downtown Minneapolis YMCA, was recognized as the branch's Community Hero at a special appreciation luncheon held on April 15.

Cassie Rood, Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA, read the citation accompanying the presentation:

"After years of serving on our Community Board, Lyman continues to give many hours each year to help the Downtown YMCA with fundraising. Each year Lyman builds relationships with a large number of our donors, and this year he volunteered to help us with our Capital Campaign as well. He is always willing to call additional people each year, and he takes great pride in his connections with people. We are very thankful to have someone like Lyman who is so willing to donate his time and resources each year. We don’t know what we would do without him!"

Lyman's years of service to the YMCA demonstrates the impact a person can make in the community. The Community Board members and Downtown Y employees who gathered to honor him demonstrates the impact he has made on the Y. Lyman brings together people from many different areas and lifestyles, working together for the success of the YMCA and its core values - building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.

Lyman Demaray: portrait of a YMCA Community Hero!

Kara Kulda - Northwest YMCA Community Hero!

Kara Kulda was recently presented with the Community Hero award by the Northwest YMCA.


Kara is shown at the presentation ceremony with (left to right) Christa Getchell, VP of Financial Development, Greg Voss, Executive Director of the Northwest YMCA, and Krista Danner, formerly Financial Development Specialist and now Executive Director of the Ridgedale YMCA.

In making the presentation to Kara, Greg pointed out the many ways that she has contributed to the success of the Northwest Y. "Kara currently serves as our ’08 Y Partners Chair. She consistently displays high energy and enthusiasm and a passion for our Y Partners program. She makes herself available for presentations, Y Partners stories and Community Board and Committee reports. She has personally made a large number of Y Partner solicitation calls, and is a true champion for Y Partners in her community, at her workplace, and through her program participation at the YMCA!"

Congratulations, Kara - another YMCA Community Hero!

Your YMCA Stories

Here's a testimonial from the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA:

On January 18, 2007, I went into the hospital with extreme chest pain. I had an artery on the right side of my heart that was closed 99% and a blood clot in that artery. The doctor put a stint in my heart. I was out of the hospital in two days. I have 13 grandchildren. I wanted to be here awhile longer for them. So I cut the portions I eat to half of what I was eating. I cut out fried foods and most animal products. The doctors said I should exercise three times a week.

I joined the YMCA in Coon Rapids and I joined the Silver Sneakers group. I exercise five days a week, three hours daily. Besides the benefit of the exercise, I have met a lot of outgoing, friendly peole. So far I have lost twenty-five pounds. My blood pressure and sugar count are normal, this is without taking medications. I still ahve some weight to lose, but I have no doubt I will lose the weight.

The YMCA has social functions for seniors that has also fulfilled a need for myself and my husband. The YMCA has enriched our lives! Seven months after my surgery, I started working part-tiome for the YMCA in maintenance. Thank you YMCA!

Jerry Hatzenbuhler, YMCA Camp Warren Community Hero!

“Jerry is a valuable member of the Camp Warren community due to his on-going commitment to developing the camp program” stated YMCA Camp Warren Executive Meghan Cosgrove. Jerry’s relationship with Warren began as a family camper but has grown in to much more. Jerry and his wife Laura have given back to the community through Y Partner calling nights and by assisting their son, Alex, with an Eagle Scout project focused on path restoration along the waterfront of Half Moon Lake.

Additionally, Jerry is filled with ideas for program improvements and has brought the Scouts up to Camp in the off-season for snow sport adventures at Giant’s Ridge.

Cosgrove and Devin Hanson, YMCA Camp Warren Assistant Director presented Jerry with the YMCA Community Hero Award.

Jerry is perhaps best known for his songs and jingles, which the family performs during Skit Night over Labor Day Family Camp…”Jerry…. Jerry…this is why we honor you!”

Danielle Radulovich - An Emma B. Howe YMCA Community Hero!

Danielle Radulovich was presented with the Emma B. Howe Community Hero award at a meeting in February.

Danielle chairs the Community Relations Committee for the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA. Danielle designed, implemented and facilitated the success of the second Emma B. Howe Gala Event. Danielle is an active volunteer for our Branch contributing both generously in person and through her company. She is an inspiration and role model to our other volunteers.

Danielle exemplifies what it means to be a YMCA volunteer - committed to the mission and the success of the YMCA, and dedicated to giving back to the community. We thank Danielle once again for her service to the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA!

Your YMCA Stories

From time to time we like to share stories from our members as to how the YMCA has changed their lives for the better. Here's one, from a member at Emma B. Howe:

I am excited about the scholarship I got to be able to use all the services at the YMCA. I'm on disability and my funds are limited. I was not able to afford the whole cost of a membership. My favorite activity at the YMCA is the pool, because I have arthritis and I am overweight. The pool helps me get exercise whithout causing discomfort to my arthritis. I also like to be able to walk when there's bad weather, rain or snow. The tread mill and exercise equipment allows me this leisure. I also attend the many classes that are offered here at the YMCA. I want to thank all the people who help with their contributions to Y Partners. Because of their continued support I am able to emjoy my membership here. Thank you to all the workers who make it comfortable for me to attend the YMCA. The workers are always nice and caring. I would also like to thank Sharron Robillard for getting me started.

This is another example of how the YMCA makes a difference in our communities because of the generosity of people who contribute to the Y Partners annual fundraising campaign. It also couldn't happen without the dedication of the thousands of people working at the YMCA. It's why we're more than just a swim and gym!

Northwest YMCA - Providing a Sense of Belonging and Community

We'd like to share with you a letter from a Northwest YMCA member receiving financial assistance:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to belong to the YMCA. Without financial assistance I would not be able to take advantage of all the wonderful programs, classes and opportunities the YMCA has to offer. During this past year, my life changed dramatically. I could no longer work and started receiving disability benefits. In order to make ends meet, I also had to seek assistance through the state and county services. This was a humbling and at times humiliating process for me and I felt very ashamed that I needed help and was embarrassed to even ask for an application for financial aid at the Y. However, from the moment I turned in my application to the process of interviewing, I never felt judged. I was so nervous about coming my first day. I thought everyone would know that I couldn’t really afford to be there, that they would think I wasn’t good enough to be there, that I wouldn’t be able to use all parts of the Y because I wasn’t a “real” member. None of that happened… from the first day I came, I felt accepted and like a member of a community.

Being a member of the Y has been beneficial to me in many ways. The first and most basic is that being able to be physically active has helped me to stay healthy enough to do what I need to do to continue on my healing journey. It improves my mood, helps me manage my anxiety and helps me feel strong and empowered. Another way the Y has benefited me is by providing a sense of belonging and community.

In the midst of everything else that happened over the last year, I lost my mother. She was a single parent and when she passed away, it felt like I lost my family. I have good friends, but no family. Coming to the Y every morning and being greeted, usually by name, means more to me than I can even express. There are days where getting out of bed or leaving my house feels too hard, but the Y is a safe and comforting refuge for me and is a wonderful place to start my day. It feels good to belong somewhere. Again, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a member of the Northwest YMCA.