Swim Lessons Make a Big Splash
Here in Puget Sound, we are blessed with natural beauty and surrounded by the majesty of lakes, rivers, and an iconic fjord that defines our sense of place. We turn to waterways that provide sustenance, economy, transportation, and recreation.
With all the water that abounds in our little slice of heaven we call home,; it also comes with an inherent risk. The CDC states that “more children ages 1–-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death” and “for children ages 5–-14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.”.
In 2023, the YMCA provided swim lessons to 19,400 children and your generosity ensured that all had the opportunity to gain confidence, self-reliance, and the ability to stay safe around water through financial assistance.
Youth Sports Take the Field
The Y is committed to empowering kids to lead thriving, active lives. From gaining confidence to fostering positive relationships, sports at the Y are about building lifelong habits from the inside out.
In 2023, donors to the Y recognized the importance of ensuring all youth had the opportunity to run, tumble, kick, shoot, and score! Surrounded by loving families, devoted coaches, and supportive peers, 9,932 teammates could take to the field, court, or floor through financial assistance because of your generosity!
Center for Community Impact (CCI) Takes Center Stage
On November 16, more than 100 supporters gathered as part of the YMCA’s Center for Community Impact (CCI) “Grow, Connect, Give” Breakfast to hear more about the life-changing impact of the YMCA’s outreach work.
Attendees learned about the many ways CCI brings students, schools, partners, and the community together through programs that build, strengthen, and support young people in middle and high school.
From Youth and Government to Late Nite, social-emotional learning to afterschool clubs, YMCA donors enabled us to provide critical services and positive adult mentorship for thousands of youths, making a profound difference in their lives.
Gift for Future Generations
Nancy and Bruce’s Y history runs deep, as both their fathers swam at the YMCA in Seattle, though they did not know each other then. Bruce and Nancy joined the original Downtown YMCA after moving to Tacoma, and Bruce played handball regularly. He remembers John Morgan’s audacious goal to build the Y on Pearl Street and later became a member there before joining the Lakewood YMCA as the family grew. You can find Bruce swimming laps regularly, and Nancy shared that “he would go every day if he could.” As he and Nancy reflect, they share that the Y has been a part of their life as long as they both can remember.
Bruce and Nancy have witnessed first-hand the power of having the YMCA in their community, providing an environment for families to flourish and youth to receive life-changing mentoring and care needed for success. They intend to help support future generations with the opportunity to grow and thrive at the Y.