Every one has a story.  Many people have faced adversity head on with a great attitude and are winning.

These are the people we want to recognize.  Know a member who has lost a lot of weight or faced physical limitation with exercise and a positive attitude?  Let a Fitness Coach know so we can recognize that individual so that we can all take a little motivation from them.

It's not just about a child, it's about a family.

While I always knew the Y provided a before and after school program in my child’s school, I never needed to use it because my wife arranged her schedule so she only worked weekends. That way she was able to care for our two children.

In September 2011, I lost my wife and was not only faced with going through the grieving process but was also now a single father who worked 12 hour days and needed to find quality care for my children as soon as possible.

Not knowing how in the world I was going to pay for childcare or provide for my children on only my income, I contacted the Y as a starting point. As I remembered back to the program I knew was in my son’s school, I made an appointment and came to the Y hopeful that somehow I could make it all work.

Through the application process I found out I qualified to receive Y financial assistance to help ease the burden of the cost of childcare. I am so thankful for how the Y helped me. I now receive CCIS funds for assistance with childcare, but I am so glad the Y was there when I needed help.

This year’s Campaign for Kids is launched with an ambitious goal of raising $130,000.

We ask that you please give generously so that more kids and more families in our community can share the YMCA experience.

The YMCA Golf Outing is open to all golfers. Participants should assemble their own foursome. Outing is limited to 144 golfers. Visit the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA for your entry form or download and print your entry form here.

10th Annual Campaign for Kids Golf Outing &
Earl Fornwalt & Richard Lefty Hallman Memorial Tournament

Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Location:
Iron Valley Golf Club
201 Iron Valley Drive
Lebanon, PA 17042

Format:
Modified Four-Person Scramble
Registration/Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Shotgun start: 1:00 p.m.
Dinner/Awards: Immediately following play

Contests:
WIN A CAR OR OTHER PRIZES WITH A HOLE IN ONE! Sponsored by Ladd Hanford Auto Group
First place award to the top ‘All Women’s Team’

We are truly grateful to the following businesses and organizations for their support of this community event which benefits our Campaign for Kids financial assistance program. Special Thanks to our Lead Sponsors:

John and Judy Byler
Iron Valley Golf Club
Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club
GSH Home Med Care
Ladd Hanford Auto Group

Part of what makes the YMCA special is that we do not turn anyone away because of the in-ability to pay. We are able to provide financial assistance to those who qualify via the generosity of our donors and those committed to social responsibility, like you. Our Campaign for Kids will kick off in February of 2012. Please consider a gift to the Campaign for Kids to help the YMCA in strengthening our community.

The Lebanon Valley Family YMCA kicked off it’s 2012 Capital Campaign and unveiling plans for a three million dollar renovation. Additionally, the YMCA announced the major benefactors who have already committed to the project.

Freeer Family Youth Center Renovation Rendering

The three million dollar renovation is designed primarily to allow for the Y’s Youth Center to be located at the main facility on 7th Street. The youth center, which serves over 80 local youth a day, has been temporarily running out of the old train depot on 8th Street in Lebanon since it opened in October 2011.

While redesigning the building to accommodate the youth center, the fitness center, currently located on the second floor at the back of the building, will be moved to a newly built glass fronted second floor where Gym A is currently located, facing out to the main parking area. The main entrance of the building including a new lobby will be completely rebuilt. Additional rooms for family and other member programming will open up as many administrative offices will relocate to the 8th Street train depot. Once the youth center is relocated to the main facility, plans are for full time child care center to be created at the 7th Street train depot.

Team leaders at the Lebanon Y are excited about what these changes will mean to membership in their areas:

“Many of our local youth are excited to feel a part of our YMCA!” Ryan Van Houten, Youth Center Director.

“The changes that will take place in our YMCA will give Childcare more opportunities to provide a positive learning environment for children. ” Amy Pennycoff, Childcare Services Director

“For us in the wellness center it will bring a whole new fresh look, more space and a renewed enthusiasm to working out.” Mark Hubbard, Wellness Director

The original Lebanon Valley Family YMCA started modestly in 1898 – where a small group of men gathered who were interested in building a better community.

Since its inception, the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA has been a respected non-profit institution, serving the entire community as a source of health and wellness, recreation, enrichment, after school programs and numerous other services for children and teens.

The new Youth Center is a BIG hit! Participation has exceeded expectations and local 7th, 8th, and 9th graders are glad to have a place to hang out after school.

Check out this news clip from WGAL Chanel 8:
http://www.wgal.com/video/29598667/detail.html

The Youth Center is currently located at the Old Railroad depot adjacent to the Y on 8th street.  The Youth center is for 7th, 8th and 9th graders and it is FREE.

The Y is the nation’s leading non-profit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Lebanon Valley Family YMCA health and well-being programs provide individuals of all ages and families regardless of makeup, with continuous supportive relationships and environments that engage, involve and support health in spirit, mind and body.

In 2010, YMCA health and well-being programs provided over 9,800 individuals of all ages with continuous supportive relationships and environments that engaged, involved and supported health in spirit, mind and body. Read more about our involvement in the community, and goals for the coming years, in our Community Impact Report: Growing Stronger Together.

The Leadership at the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA would like to honor those individuals who demonstrate consistent effort in impacting our community in each of these three areas of focus; Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

Congratulations to our Inaugural Y – Area of Focus – Volunteer of the Year Recipients.

For Youth Development – Rigoberto Ramos

Mr. Ramos is an individual with passion. He is passionate about making a difference with our Youth. Moving to Ephrata from Brooklyn, New York, Rigoberto makes an impact on Lebanon youth on a daily basis. He is a Youth Advocate with the Youth Advocate Program of Lebanon County, working as a mentor to at-risk youth.

Rigoberto founded and manages the Hope-Espiranza Youth T-ball program to give children a positive channel for their energy as well as learn the fundamentals of baseball. One of the hallmarks of the Hope-Espiranza League is that a parent’s involvement is mandatory. This helps build the family bond. Mr. Ramos does more that Youth Advocate and Baseball to serve our youth. On any giving day you may see Mr. Ramos working with one of his youth at the YMCA but additionally see him coordinate a basketball game with his youth and youth members of the YMCA. Many times you will see a group of teens around Mr. Ramos as he discusses topical events while giving life advice to both his clients and others.

Mr. Ramos not only goes over the bar when talking Youth Development, he set’s the bar on how we all can relate and be a positive roll model for today youth.

Healthy Living – Dr. Jay Darrell

Nearly four years ago Dr. Jay Darrell had a vision. He wanted to create an event that would highlight the community we live in and at the same time encourage individuals to become healthier. His vision quickly became reality when he brought a group of individuals together from Good Samaritan Health System and the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA and created the Give Thanks for Lebanon 5k/10 K Run. The event has grown each year surpassing the 325 runner mark in 2010.

Dr. Darrell is an advocate of healthy living. As a Thoracic Surgeon for the Good Samaritan Hospital, he witnesses on a daily basis the negative impact of living a sedentary life. Jay is called upon often to talk to local groups about heart health.Through his dedication to our community he has helped hundreds of people learn the benefits of staying active.

Social Responsibility – Tom Gerhart

For the past 14 years our Tom Gehart has been working to raise awareness and funds to help families in our community. In 1996 Tom started his own Relay for Life team with his mother who was battling cancer. They named the original team the Bulldogs after his favorite dog.

Twelve years ago Tom came up with a new idea and started his annual sports auction. Raising thousands of dollars to fight cancer. Over the past three years he has been doing it with the help of the Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club. The club asked Tom to continue to organize the event as a fund raiser but would help. Tom agreed if the club would give 1/3 to his Relay team, 1/3 to the Hershey Med. Center’s Kids Christmas Party (with their families), and 1/3 to a local family affected by cancer.

Tom is also involved in the CLA, the Falcon Foundation, and he is the all-time coach for his daughter’s sports teams. He runs the Lady Falcons Youth Basketball League and coaches his daughters Ebenezer-Union Canal U12 soccer team.

Did you see our exciting announcement as reported by The Lebanon Daily News on January 12, 2011?

YMCA buys former railroad station
By STEVE SNYDER
Lebanon Daily News Staff Writer

In order to grow, the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA needs more space – and it found some, right out its back door.

Two weeks ago, the Y bought the former H.H. Brown Work and Outdoor Group headquarters at 205 N. Eighth St. for $210,000 after the price of the property had dropped almost in half in two years…

Read the Entire Article as reported by the Lebanon Daily News.

Large portions of gym goers lose their motivation within the first six weeks. The Y’s personal trainers can help you adhere to your program consistently and provide you with the supervision and individualized instruction necessary for you to achieve your fitness and health goals.

A Personal Trainer will

• Help you safely begin and maintain an effective exercise program.
• Develop an exercise program specifically designed according to your personal health history, needs, limitations, and goals.
• Provide motivation, encouragement and accountability to your exercise program.
• Serve as a resource for objective and accurate health and fitness information.
• Help you fit exercise into your busy schedule to make the most efficient use of your time.

Get the results you desire with a Y Personal Trainer!

Get started today!!  Call the Lebanon Y at (717)273-2691 or email Brian Wolfe at bwolfe@lebanonymca.org.