Help Needed

THE

LOOKOUT

Weatherford Chapter

Message from the Presidents - Charles & Sherrie Cleveland

Within hours of the news of the terrible effects Hurricane Helene had on our special place, YMCA Blue Ridge, we began to receive calls from the Weatherford Chapter members asking how they as individuals, and we collectively as a Chapter, could help. Many were ready to load up with supplies and head up the Mountain. Others were just shocked and grieving over the catastrophic losses Blue Ridge had sustained.

The Weatherford Chapter Board met via zoom on October 2 with an agenda of reviewing the safety and needs of our Chapter members who were in Helene’s path and discussing how best we could support Blue Ridge’s recovery efforts. We were happy to learn that although several of our members did experience property damage, loss of power and cell service, no one reported injury, and all are safe. Caring Concerns Chairs, Nancy and Bill Reece, continue to check in with those affected and report all are slowly returning to a sense of normalcy.

The Board’s discussion on Blue Ridge financial support also included the Chapter’s financial support and commitment to World Service (WS), Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF), the International Service Corp (ISC) and the National Service Project. The National Service Project donation is budgeted for the year but, traditionally WS, EAF, and ISC have been funded from the proceeds of the silent auction held during Fall Festival at Blue Ridge. Without the revenues from the auction this year, the Chapter will not be able to provide additional support for these important programs. The Board concurred that the Chapter focus should be on supporting YMCA Blue Ridge’s recovery efforts while strongly encouraging individual members to contribute to the campaigns of WS, EAF, and ISC. The Board wishes to emphasize our support and appreciation for the work and impact WS, EAF, and ISC provide our colleagues and the YMCA movement. We hope you will review and respond to the special appeal from Kelly Kay, Board Chair of EAF, included in this newsletter. Charlie and Tina Glass, VPs of Services, will continue to keep you informed of the needs of WS, EAF and ISC. We adjourned the meeting with the task of researching how the Weatherford Chapter could best help in the Blue Ridge recovery.

When the Board met again on October 14^th, we discussed how other groups in the Blue Ridge Family (Blue Ridge Board of Directors, Leaders School, CONA, Values Conference, and Staff Alumni) have organized within their alumni groups to seek out financial support with challenges and matches of donations. The Board concurred that the Weatherford Chapter members would also want to support the recovery efforts of Blue Ridge individually as well as with Chapter funds. The Board voted to donate $5,000 of our cash reserve ($10,555) to the recovery effort and to make an appeal to the general membership for additional support.

The Board will continue to monitor and keep you informed as the Blue Ridge Board and Staff develop plans and identifies additional needs. Please let us know if you have questions, concerns or would like additional information at charles73148@gmail.com or sherrie.cleveland@gmail.com

Thank you in advance for your continued prayer and support for YMCA Blue Ridge. It is truly a special place and the Weatherford Chapter’s home base! We look forward to seeing you on the Mountain again soon.

Charles and Sherrie

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly is more than just a place!!! For over 120 years Blue Ridge has served all who come with love and respect. They experience the core tenants and values of our faith. It is a place that helps us forge identity, strengthen family bonds, and develop leaders. The Mountain is a place of rest and refreshment, so we leave the mountain better than we came.

Many of our Chapter members have had deep meaningful career life experiences on the Mountain. The Weatherford Chapter of Y Alumni has been meeting at YMCA Blue Ridge for Fall Festival since 1957. For those of us who have attended Fall Festival, we know the impact and true Magic of the Mountain.

Now YMCA Blue Ridge needs us. Hurricane Helene unleashed catastrophic damage as a tidal wave of waters from rivers, creeks, rain, mud, trees, boulders, vehicles, and equipment slammed down the mountain. Nearly every building had a level of damage, often severe. There is no power, no running water and the wells are running on generators. Staff were forced to relocate, and YMCA Blue Ridge is closed as clean up continues. Early estimates show damages well into the millions of dollars. Clearing roads that are now rubble, stabilizing buildings damaged by debris and cleaning up the water and mud left behind is the first critical step toward rebuilding YMCA Blue Ridge.

Several of our Chapter members shared they planned to provide significant gifts for the recovery efforts with hopes that their gifts might also encourage and inspire other Weatherford Chapter members to support Blue Ridge. We have included several of their testimonials in this newsletter. As you review the testimonials of the Clark Family, Nancy and Ed Ryszkiewicz, Carl and Janet Ward, Joe and Jeanne Warwick, we hope you will look back on not only your personal Blue Ridge experience and story, but also reflect on the 120 years of impact the Mountain has had on hundreds of thousands of teens, young adults, and families and will be inspired to support the next 120 years!

The Chapter Board voted to donate $5,000 of our Chapter reserves, along with the gifts listed above and others. We have an unofficial count of $130,000 donated by Chapter members!!!

Blue Ridge needs your help and generosity.

(1) Prayer is essential for Board and Staff. Pray for wisdom, courage, peace, and provision physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

(2) Your notes of encouragement whether via mail or on social media mean so much. Keep them coming! They are getting mail.

(3) Please consider a gift to help YMCA Blue Ridge recover, reimagine the campus and restore its important mission. You can donate and help continue the legacy of Blue Ridge by visiting https://www.blueridgeassembly.org/donate. Please choose Storm Relief as your gift designation and add Weatherford Y Alumni in the comments so we know to credit our chapter.

(4) If you are able, consider your Fall Festival Fees as a donation in lieu of a refund. This will be in addition to your generous gift toward the overall fundraising effort. Let Blue Ridge know if you prefer a refund or donation by sending an email to guestservices@yblueridge.org or call (828) 669-8422. If you want a refund, please note that you paid by check, credit card, or PayPal.

God has had his hand of favor on Blue Ridge for 120 years. He will continue to do so. Join chapter members as we stand in prayer and give thanks in advance for his overflowing provision for YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly and staff.

The Mountain is Calling!!!

My first trip to Blue Ridge was in my mother’s womb. I spent almost every summer there, went there on my honeymoon, and spent time there as part of my YMCA career. It was a full lifetime experience. My most vivid memory is on the porch, relaxing, and watching the Blue Ridge mountains.

- Coke Clark with Molly

I was 16 years old when I first sat on the porch of Eureka Hall and I sensed the Lord in that place. My eyes were opened to the mission of the YMCA in those beautiful surroundings. The YMCA became my career and my service. Every time I’m on the mountain, I feel close to the Lord. Ed and I feel like the spirit is always strong on the mountain. The mountain is always calling.

- Nancy and Ed Ryszkiewicz

I was heartbroken to see the devastation of my beloved Blue Ridge. I have great memories of my early days at Leaders School under Mr. Coke Clark. In 1964, a new Physical Director, Mr. Clark, took me under his wing and helped prepare me for the how-tos in leading young people in the YMCA. I spent many wonderful summers learning under some of the best leadership at Blue Ridge. The Old Gym, Eureka Hall, the Outdoor gym, and the pool were my playgrounds. Seeing the damage, I hope we, as the YMCA family, will step up and give until it feels good.

-Joe and Jeanne Warrick

We had many choices for giving at this time, but Blue Ridge is dear to our hearts. Our time at Blue Ridge since Carl retired has been special. We want to be part of helping in the recovery and to keep the mission going.

-Carl and Janet Ward

EAF

A MESSAGE FROM KELLY KAY

YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund

Board Chair

If you have already contributed to EAF during 2024, thank you. At this time please, consider an additional gift. Any amount would be appreciated. If you have not contributed to EAF during 2024, would you please consider making a gift in this time of need?

As we continue to learn about the destruction caused by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and our YMCA Alumni members and active Y staffers who were impacted by these devastating weather events.

This tragedy has spurred us to increase our commitment to help YMCA Alumni members and Y Staff impacted by these two hurricanes.

Past storm relief requests taught us that recipients need funds fast. The YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) has created a special mechanism to get $1,000 grants into colleagues’ hands as they work to rebuild their lives.

As of October 13^th, 268 EAF grants have been distributed that are directly attributed to Hurricane Helene. We expect more EAF grant applications related to Hurricane Milton.

Today we are asking for your support so that we can quickly say yes to these urgent EAF grant requests. In fact, YMCA of the USA and Y Retirement have offered to match your gifts up to $50,000! That doubles your impact when you give today.

Your gift will go to help families with medical bills, temporary housing or storm damage repair not covered by insurance. Through EAF, we can be there for YMCA Alumni colleagues and other Y staffers in their time of need.

Make your gift today at www.ymcaeaf.org

If you or another YMCA Alumni member are in need of assistance, please visit ymcaeaf.org and click “Apply for a grant”. EAF’s Caring Committee will be ready to process your request as quickly as possible. All current YMCA Alumni members with 6 months or more of current active membership status are eligible to apply for EAF grants.

It’s easy to feel helpless when watching a disaster unfold on TV. EAF is one way we can make a difference today and in the difficult days and weeks ahead of us.

Weatherford Chapter 2024-2025 Committee Members Information

Co-Presidents:

Charles & Sherrie Cleveland

Winston-Salem, NC

charles73148@gmail.com

Vice Presidents of Program:

Chuck & Cindy Harris

Chesapeake, VA

charrisVA1@gmail.com

Vice Presidents of Service:

Charlie & Tina Glass

Clemmons, NC