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.

Fred Friswold - A Hero for the YMCA!

Fred Friswold, Chair of the YMCA's Commitment to Community Capital Campaign and a longtime YMCA volunteer, was recognized yesterday as a YMCA Community Hero.

Fred is pictured at left with Harold Mezile, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis.

Robie Wayne, Senior Vice President of Financial Development, reviewed the many contributions that Fred has made to the YMCA. "Fred is being recognized for his extraordinary dedication, passion and tireless efforts in our current Commitment to Community capital campaign which is at 80%, but also his continual advocacy for the development of kids and getting skills for life.

"As Fred so enthusiastically proclaims, 'It’s the Kids that keep me going. It’s exciting to know that kids coming into the world may have it a little easier.' Please join me in recognizing Fred for his significant contributions to the perpetuation of our YMCA mission!"

As a sign of appreciation, Fred was presented with the “official” Community Hero jacket and certificate. Our wishes to Fred were that he might always wear the jacket proudly!

A YMCA "Mission Moment"

The following story comes to us from one of our Andover YMCA employees. It shows again the impact that the YMCA can have on an individual life:

I recently signed up a single mother and her five children on a family membership through our scholarship program. About a week later I had just finished a fantastic swim workout and was in the locker room when a young boy approached me and said, "Hey, I know you." This startled me because most people don't recognoize me when I am not in the red shirt. I asked him how he knew me and he said, "You're the guy who helped out my family. I have wanted to come here for so long but never could and now I can come here and have fun at the Y all because of you." I told him it wasn't just me, it was everybody here at the Y and all the people who donated money to us. He asked me to thank everyone for him and his family. So, if you've made a donation to Y-PARTNERS, this young boy and his family say THANK YOU! If you haven't made a donation this year, I wish you could have seen his smile.

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!