YMCA - 50th Anniversary
Posted by Charlie Olmsted
YMCA 50th
ANNIVERSARY
I congratulate YMCA celebrating its 50th anniversary of community service. The Y has provided countless hours of recreational opportunities and abundant enjoyment to young and old, for all those years.
The development of the YMCA was not easily accomplished, and it took local citizens to embrace the concept, and then work tirelessly to make it happen. Some of you will remember the original humble locations, a pillar to post type of operation.
The volunteer board of the day decided that a major fundraising effort was needed to allow the YMCA to fulfill its mandate and to grow. It was decided that the financial goal was to be $352,000.. a huge sum, the largest in the community history at that time. An organizer was hired, and a group of 300 volunteers was assembled. Organized into teams and reporting weekly, hoopla and enthusiasm energized the volunteers to continue until the goal was reached.
Rotary members were involved from the very beginning. I remember Bob Moynan, Jerry Stewart, Dick Tafel, Herb Brown, Jack Burrows, Ralph Diegel, Bill Saya, and myself who were closely involved as well as many others whose participation and determination were significant. Through the intervening years Rotary has continued to assist the Y by providing a succession of Y board members, workers, fund raisers, and supplied considerable funding as well. You will recall the efforts to construct a new pool facility along with Rotary's therapeutic pool. Rotary is also very proud that the Y has been able to use Camp Tillicum facilities for their day camp, and the camp, very nearly sold, has thrived under Y's auspices.
YMCA.. We salute you, and I am sure Rotary will continue to help you in any way it can.
Charlie Olmsted
Sept/08
I congratulate YMCA celebrating its 50th anniversary of community service. The Y has provided countless hours of recreational opportunities and abundant enjoyment to young and old, for all those years.
The development of the YMCA was not easily accomplished, and it took local citizens to embrace the concept, and then work tirelessly to make it happen. Some of you will remember the original humble locations, a pillar to post type of operation.
The volunteer board of the day decided that a major fundraising effort was needed to allow the YMCA to fulfill its mandate and to grow. It was decided that the financial goal was to be $352,000.. a huge sum, the largest in the community history at that time. An organizer was hired, and a group of 300 volunteers was assembled. Organized into teams and reporting weekly, hoopla and enthusiasm energized the volunteers to continue until the goal was reached.
Rotary members were involved from the very beginning. I remember Bob Moynan, Jerry Stewart, Dick Tafel, Herb Brown, Jack Burrows, Ralph Diegel, Bill Saya, and myself who were closely involved as well as many others whose participation and determination were significant. Through the intervening years Rotary has continued to assist the Y by providing a succession of Y board members, workers, fund raisers, and supplied considerable funding as well. You will recall the efforts to construct a new pool facility along with Rotary's therapeutic pool. Rotary is also very proud that the Y has been able to use Camp Tillicum facilities for their day camp, and the camp, very nearly sold, has thrived under Y's auspices.
YMCA.. We salute you, and I am sure Rotary will continue to help you in any way it can.
Charlie Olmsted
Sept/08