Gary Graham joins a National Service Project work wave in Dupree. He led the fundraising effort that made it all possible. | | |
A CONNECTION EDITORIAL:
THE PARTY’S OVER. WE DONE GOOD.
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We’ve celebrated the completion of Morning Star Village, four tiny homes, the first phase of YMCA Alumni’s National Service Project, with a very special weekend in Dupree, South Dakota. The first families to occupy the homes are moving in.
There have been more than a million words written about our so-called “NSP” since Lou Falk was announced as Chair of the Standing Committee in March 2020 – almost six years ago. Stories and images have appeared in 70 consecutive issues of The Connection and nearly every chapter newsletter since,
Members were updated in real time each Wednesday on our Facebook page. The groundbreaking ceremony on March 19, 2022 was carried on Facebook Live, while YouTube broadcast our celebration on Sept. 21, 2025. We followed the progress and made reservations and donations on Wawokiye.com, a dedicated, standalone website for the project, featuring images by renowned photographer Randi Sidman-Moore.
Some 200 members, family and friends, many returning for multiple work waves, traveled to Dupree, SD, a little Northern Prairie town on the west side of the Cheyenne River Reservation, whose “welcome” sign claims 535 residents. It is also home to the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires, née the Sioux YMCA. Construction volunteers arrived on their own dime each spring and fall over four consecutive years – 22 waves -- to work under the incredible volunteer leadership of Construction Manager George Painter, building the homes from the ground up.
Not lost in the tumult of the celebrating should be the literally amazing fact that you – our YMCA Alumni members -- matched those million written words with a million dollars from your own wallets to make it possible. A MILLION DOLLARS! Was there anyone among us who really believed we could raise that amount of money after an initial goal of $100,000 to build a prototype tiny home was announced in October 2021?
There was one person who did: Gary Graham of the Central Atlantic Chapter, who signed on as Fundraising Chair. If YMCA Alumni gave out an “Unsung Hero Award,” he’d be the recipient hands down. Gary formed a cadre of committed fundraisers in every chapter, and when all was said and done, an undreamed-of sum had been reached, almost entirely from individual members.
That alone is a story of monumental proportions. You will want to read Gary’s personal account – titled “When You Wish Upon A Star” – in the next quarterly issue of Perspective E-Zine in February.
So, now we close a unique chapter in our organization’s history. We move on to Phase 2: building a small Y branch (a “Twig”) in the outlying Reservation community of LaPlant.
This concludes our coverage of Phase 1, but we will update you on Phase 2 throughout 2026 as news warrants, as well as any plans for a second National Service Project that will follow along.
We have done a good thing. All of us. Together.
--Craig Altschul, Editor
Note: "From The President" by Phill Morgan will return to this space next month.
| | Check out this quick, fun YouTube video created by Shane Niemi and you will instantly want to re-connect with YMCA Alumni for 2026. Click the arrow in the video and be sure the sound is on. | | |
LARRY GARVIN
ELECTED YMCA ALUMNI VP/EAST
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Larry Garvin, past president of the Willis Chapter, but best known as Chair of the Covid-impacted, yet successful, 2022 YMCA Alumni Reunion in New Orleans, has been unanimously elected VP/East by the Presidents of the East Region chapters. He takes office in January.
Larry began his career as Physical Director of the Sandusky County YMCA in Fremont, OH; was Director of Health and Physical Education on the original staff of the National Capital YMCA in Washington D.C., and served as President and CEO of the Butler County YMCA in Butler, PA for 31 years.
An avid golfer, Larry wrote "Is Tee Time in Your Retirement Plan" in the just-published inaugural issue of Perspective E-Zine. He and his wife, Debra, live in Ocala, Florida.
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MEMORY LANE
with BILL MOSS
'A Veterans' Day Treasure'
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One day when I worked in Connecticut, I was opening my mail and there was a notice from Y-USA that they had printed some copies of YMCA posters from WWI and were offering them for sale.
I have always been interested in posters. As an art student, I won a few prizes for my posters. In high school, Ed Hunter and I were the class artists and were responsible for advertising all the senior class events. So, when I got this offer, I thought about purchasing a set. Then I thought, hmm, that’s a lot to pay for reprints…I think I’ll pass.
A short time later, I received a phone call from the Groton Library. The librarian said, “Mr. Moss, we were cleaning out the library's basement, and we ran across a bunch of old posters. One of these posters was about the YMCA. Would you be interested in having it?”
I’m from the school of “for free take, for buy waste time.” So I said, “I would be interested.” The librarian responded, “Good, I will set it aside and you can pick it up the next time you’re in Groton.”
The next time I visited our childcare program there, I stopped by the Groton Library. To my surprise, the poster they had was a copy of one of those WWI posters. It was not a knock-off copy like Y-USA had offered for sale, but the real McCoy in mint condition.
It still hangs on my wall today.
| | Bill Moss is a member of the Grand Canyon Chapter, serves on the National Service Project Standing Committee and was editor of this newsletter when it was known as "The Old Guard News." Bill was a nominee for the 2025 F. William Stahl Award. | | |
YMCA Alumni has offered BenefitHub for the past several years as a benefit to members who may wish to take advantage of its product and other discounts. Members provided their own emails to BenefitHub once registered.
Unfortunately, the company is currently requesting access to our email lists in order to upgrade their program. It is the firm policy of your Board not to provide our lists to any outside organization. Given the request and considering that only 19 members currently use the service, we have decided to discontinue our relationship. Click HERE if you have any questions.
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HURRICANES, FIRES
EAF CAMPAIGNS TO REPLENISH FUNDS
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Bob Warnock, YMCA Alumni chair of the Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) and President of the Lyon Chapter, reports EAF has been affected more than usual, “due in part to unprecedented natural disasters that greatly impacted our staff and retirees."
The hurricane-caused flooding in the south, and in particular in North Carolina, did severe damage to the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, while wildfires in the Los Angeles area destroyed thousands of homes, including a popular YMCA branch. Our local chapters – Weatherford and Lyon – were quick to respond, and our YMCA Alumni National Board made grants in both cases to support the chapters’ relief efforts.
Some 589 grants were awarded in 2024 to YMCA staff and retirees in personal crisis, totaling nearly $643,000. Contributions to the Fund have totaled more than $117,000 through June 2025, including $8,660 from YMCA Alumni members.
“I ask on behalf of our YMCA staff and retirees who continue to experience personal crises that you join me in contributing now to EAF,” Bob says. Click one of the buttons below to either safely contribute online by credit card or by mailing a check.
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CHAPTER CHECK-IN
FALL GATHERINGS: COLORFUL AND FUN
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SCHREINER CHAPTER MEETS IN THE CLOUDS
The locale for the Schreiner Chapter’s Fall Gathering was high in the clouds – 8,676 feet to be exact – in Cloudcroft, N.M, a tiny town (pop. 870) in the Lincoln National Forest where several members have summer homes. Top L-R: Jim and Lily Rowland at Terry and Elizabeth Seth's home; Group photo taken in the Rust Garden at La Luz Pottery; Bottom L-R: Jan Murphy, Carm Gallo, Emilie Heiman and Pam Power gather in the Grand Cloudcroft Hotel lobby; LaLuz Pottery made for a fun visit.
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A VISIT TO COLUMBUS AND GARFIELD
Chambers Chapter members enjoyed a few fall days in Columbus, OH including visits to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden and the Budd Dairy Hall. Photos L-R: Mary Moomaw, Sue Smith and Cindy Koenig-Daggs; Tony Delisio and chapter guest Phill Morgan, YMCA Alumni President, have a cat-chat with Garfield, while Connie Clark gives a telegraph operator an earful.
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TEEING OFF IN CAPE COD FOR 3 CHAPTERS
The Twin Brooks Golf Course saw lots of swings from New England, Central Atlantic and McBurney-Morse Chapter members at their 3-Chapter getaway to Hyannis on Cape Cod, MA. Some 50 members and guests enjoyed perfect early fall weather, dining and speakers including Greater Boston YMCA CEO David Shapiro. Photos Left side: A big group on the greens; Gail and Mark Rutkowski, Joanne and Rob Reeves; Laura Prisco, Kim Decker and Alan Hurst. Right side: Martha Machnik and Steve Clay; Kimberly Masucci and Hal Jordan; Elizabeth Covino, David Shapiro, Lisa Drouin, and Kathryn Saunders
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WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN OMAHA? YMCA ALUMNI
Baseball season may be over for the winter, but members of the Mott and Greater Ozark Chapters met in Omaha, NE, and toured Charles Schwab Field right off the bat. It’s the home of the Men’s College World Series each June. The group photo was taken in front of the iconic “Road to Omaha” statue. They took in the VIP suite and the Press Box, and were able to go on the field, remembering their college days. Dinner was at The Matt, the Old Mattress Factory. The next day’s activities included a tour of the Council Bluffs YMCA Healthy Living Center.
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MARSTON MEMBERS ARE 'PUMPKIN PATCH KIDS'
There can't be a better way to welcome fall than becoming "pumpkin patch kids" again. A group of Marston Chapter members went pumpkin hunting at the Carlsbad, CA Pumpkin Patch. (Photos L-R) The group led by Gunner,,Chief Pumpkin Sniffer, Tom Madeyski's little pup. Sam Wurtzbacher and Steve Rowe; some welcoming pumpkins.
| | WFYR GLOBAL ZOOM FEATURED YMCA CANADA CEO PETER DINSDALE | | An International Zoom featured (L-R) Host Franco Savoia from Canada YMCA Alumni, Peter Dinsdale, YMCA Canada CEO, Alicia Sanjurjo from Buenos Aires Y retirees, and WFYR Chair Kohei Yamada. | | |
Connecting throughout global time zones isn’t easy. Still, members of the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees (WFYR) successfully held their semi-annual gathering via Zoom on Oct. 8, hosted by Franco Savoia of Canada YMCA Alumni.
Peter Dinsdale, YMCA Canada President and CEO, explained that YMCA Canada will host the event in Toronto which is expected to attract as many as 1,500 people, managed by hundreds of volunteers and staff, at a cost of over $1 million. It will be an immersive experience in the exciting, international city and is a significant undertaking for the hosts.
Alicia Sanjurjo from Buenos Aires spoke about the developing program for WFYR members who will hold a “conference within the conference” in conjunction with the World YMCA event.
WFYR Chair Kohei Yamada presented a status report on the Nominating Committee for service from 2026 to 2030. Contact YMCA Alumni representative Phil Dwyer If you are interested in volunteering, The next international WFYR Zoom is scheduled for May 20, 2026.
| | Our YMCA Alumni Travel Club cruisers pose for a group selfie aboard the new and exciting Explora cruise ship from Istanbul to the Adriatic in mid-October. As Schreiner Chapter's Craig Shaefer, a veteran traveler, reported: "Fantastic! Nicest ship we've been on." From left: Joan Holland, Molly McGregor, Michele Lever, Teri and Bill Hooson, Ellen and Craig Schaefer, Mary Jane Balser and Donald Logan. | | |
GO SEE, GO DO, GO TRAVEL
2026 AVAILABLE ADVENTURES
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SPRINGTIME IN THE CARIBBEAN AND BEYOND
Your choice of dates and cruises:
March 14 - 21, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Basseterre, St Kitts.
April 18 - 25, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Key West, FL; Bimini, Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos.
April 25 - May 8, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Port Canaveral to Southampton, UK with port stops in Bermuda, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal, and Southampton (close to London), UK (transatlantic cruise).
April 26 - May 2, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Beyond. Round trip from Miami, FL, with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Perfect Day, Cocobay, Bahamas.
(Note: The Celebrity Apex and Beyond are new ships launched in the past few years.)
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May 10-17, 2026:
WIDOW AND WIDOWERS CRUISE: It's a Time of Renewal as our YMCA Alumni Travel Club takes part in this very special cruise aboard the Celebrity Beyond where shared journeys, uplifting workshops, meaningful connections, and the joy of travel come together to bring comfort, renewal, and new beginnings.
June 5-12, 2026:
ALASKA - THE LAST FRONTIER: We'll cruise before the huge summer crowds arrive. Depart from Vancouver, B.C., and return to Seattle aboard the Celebrity Edge.
July 20-25, 2026:
STUNNING VISTAS ABOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER: Travel in Premier Class through stunning scenery from Denver to Salt Lake City with highlights viewed from the train’s expansive glass-dome coaches.
Sept. 13-23, 2026:
CLASSIC CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND: A colorful 10-day YMCA Alumni fall cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess along Eastern Canada and New England's Atlantic Coast from Quebec City to Boston.
Oct. 4-13, 2026:
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SPAIN: Embark on an unforgettable guided C.I.E. luxury motor coach tour through the marvelous cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona.
Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2026:
YARN, FUN AND SUN: A unique 7-day Caribbean cruise vacation aboard the Celebrity Apex for our YMCA Alumni members who love to knit.
SOLD OUT IN 2026: SCENIC SWITZERLAND BY RAIL and AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY CRUISE ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY 2.
Family members and referred friends of YMCA Alumni members are welcome on all YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and to book individual travel. YMCA Alumni receives a portion of all bookings.
Visit us on Facebook each TRAVEL TUESDAY.
CONTACT YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB
(407) 774-2229 Identify yourself as a YMCA Alumni member.
ymcaalumni@gotravel.com
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BOB MARTIN of the Willis Chapter steps down following two years as ISC chairman.
The past two years under his leadership have been eventful. Annual giving has increased significantly, international placements have been made in Albania and the Czech Republic. A work visit to Tijuana, Mexico’s Casa YMCA for migrant teens was held, and future YMCA Mexico collaborations were set, among other successes.
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TRACY MUCKEY of the McCoy Chapter will become Chair of the International Service Corps Task Force effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Tracy's career spanned service to Ys in Santa Clara, Silicon Valley and Monterrey, CA in wellness and executive roles. She worked on Y-USA’s Activate America and the National Park Service's Let's Move Outside programs. She and Lee live part of the year on the left and right coasts.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
YMCA ALUMNI
| | OUR MISSION: To provide opportunities for members to Connect, Travel, and Serve while nurturing worldwide Christian fellowship. | | | |
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