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!

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.