YMCA of Sequim 10th Anniversary Celebration
In 2015, the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center, better known as SARC, was facing closure after two failed levy attempts. A group of community members began exploring whether the YMCA could take over operation of the facility. Feasibility work, community support, financial commitments and a tremendous amount of volunteer effort eventually made that possible.
The YMCA signed a long-term lease in May 2016, and the YMCA of Sequim opened its doors that October.
The first Advisory Board was made up of 11 community members who took on the enormous task of helping establish a new branch: Gary Huff, president and campaign chair; Bob Hitchcock, vice president; Sherry Nagel, SARC liaison; Dennis Watson, board development; Virginia O’Neil, campaign; Mike McAleer, membership development; Warren Pierce and Phil Merlin, finance; Anita Benitez and Ken Stringer, programs; and Herb Cook, campaign and finance.
They took a chance on what the Y could become.
Ten years ago, the future of a familiar Sequim gathering place was uncertain but today, the YMCA of Sequim is woven into the fabric of the community. It is a place where children learn to swim, teenagers find a place to go after school, adults work toward better health, older adults maintain strength and balance, and people make friendships that extend well beyond the walls of the Y.
Over the past decade, the YMCA of Sequim has recorded 1,709,534 visits to the facility. More importantly, the Y has provided approximately $1.9 million in membership and program support, helping ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent community members from participating.
And behind every number is a person.
Sue Coffman and her husband found connection and adventure through the Y’s Outdoor Excursions program. The trips gave them opportunities to explore new places, meet people and break up the routine of retirement. “Going on these trips in the YMCA van was like being on an adult field trip, really FUN,” Sue said.
For another local family, the Y’s free middle school membership program has helped a teenager develop a new appreciation for fitness and healthy living. “My middle schooler has become more active and taken an interest in fitness and nutrition. This has been a great benefit for our family as many health issues run in our families. We are so thankful for this free benefit,” the parent shared.
For David and Sharon, the Y became particularly important when Sharon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After participating in Senior Stretch and Stability classes, they discovered Rock Steady Boxing, a program designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s. The program has helped Sharon maintain mobility while giving the couple something equally valuable: connection and the feeling that they were not facing the journey alone.
Those are the stories that define a community YMCA.
Today, the work continues with a new group of invested community members serving on the YMCA of Sequim Advisory Board: Emily Stednick, chair; Gary Huff; Warren Pierce; Phil Merlin; Ken Gallant; Tim Williams; Doug Ihmels; Shahida Shahrir; Megan Lyke; Maria Zdzieblowski; and Devon Beck.
Some are new to the work. Others, including several members of that original Advisory Board, have been involved for a decade. Together, they stand on the shoulders of the people who took the first leap of faith and carry that work forward.
On October 9th we celebrated the contributions of the founding members by hosting a 10th Anniversary celebration at the branch. Current President of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA's board of directors, Virginia O'Neil, took the time to honor the contributions of the founding board members by presenting them with certificates of appreciation and 175th YMCA Anniversary pins - to commemorate how the 10 years of the Sequim Y play a part in a bigger picture - 175 years of the Y being in the United States. Honored were Gary Huff, Bob Hitchcock, Virginia O'Neil, Warren Pierce, Phil Merlin, Anita Valdez (formerly Benitez), Family of Sherry Nagel, Family of Mike McAleer, Herb Cook (not present) and Ken Stringer (not present).
Special presentations were made by Joey Belanger, current Vice President of Operations; Gary Huff, 2016 President of the Sequim Y board, a personal story shared by members Sarah and Fisher McCullem and a special toast presented by Wendy Bart, current CEO of Olympic Peninsula YMCA.
Celebrating the YMCA of Sequim’s 10th anniversary by looking ahead as much as looking back.
This year, the Y is launching its “Tens of Thousands” campaign, inspired by the tens of thousands of lives touched by the YMCA over the past decade. The goal is to raise $10,000 to support free YMCA memberships for local middle school students.
“Our commitment is to serve all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Jodi Minker-James, Director of Community Engagement. “But free or reduced fees doesn’t mean free to provide. We depend on the generosity of local businesses, individuals and community partners to help make these opportunities possible. When our community invests in the Y, they are investing in the lives of young people, families, individuals and seniors - helping ensure that everyone has a place to belong, be active and build healthy habits.”
Generous pledges were made in celebration of the event. Gary Huff announced that an anonymous donor pledged a matching donation of up to $10,000 of donations made that night and pledged $1000 himself. Several people followed up with pledges of their own including Steve and Elaine See, Martha Moyer, Michael Speer (family of Sherry Nagel), Jodi, Savannah and Kevin Minker/James, Sarah and Fisher McCullem (in memory of Keren McCullem), Randy Johnson, Phil Merlin, Wendy Bart, the McAleer family, Anita Valdez and Eran Kennedy.
Several thoughtful businesses have also contributed to the Tens of Thousands campaign including Devon Beck, Realtor; Thrive Church-Sequim; and Home Instead - each with their own generous $1000 gifts. Donations to the YMCA of Sequim are still encouraged and will go to help support the FREE membership scholarships the Y makes available to all middle schoolers. To make a donation of your own, visit this link.
Ten years ago, Sequim came together to keep the doors open. Today, the community has a chance to help make sure those doors remain open the next 10 years and beyond.
The greatest measure of the YMCA of Sequim’s first ten years isn't how many people walked through the doors. It is what happened to their lives once they did.