It was a cold November day in 2021. Dan and Marilyn Sager and Danny Maier of the Hoosier-Buell Chapter wrapped up a week in Dupree, SD. It had snowed the day before. The roof on the first house had just been sealed up for the harsh winter to come and all in attendance thought, “How are we going to get three more homes up and done?”
It is said "many hands make light work." And skill, experience and talent make those hands work so much better.
Fastforward four years – some 350 volunteer weeks (some volunteers offering 10 weeks of their life) – more than a $1 million raised - and on September 21, 2025, the ribbon was cut on four completed homes on the campus of the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires – formerly the Sioux YMCA.
Just click the arrow above to watch Dan Sager and Danny Maier add a roof to a tiny home in just seconds. There is no sound because they did it so fast.
YMCA alumni were joined by skilled folks from churches, college campuses and the amazing Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity group. Two volunteers came all the way from Luxembourg to join in.
“As rewarding as the construction was,” said Hoosier-Buell's Danny, “The amazing people were the greatest reward. Making new friends. Reuniting with old friends. Sipping a beer after a long day’s work as the sun set on the Dakota prairie. Watching a bald eagle soar overhead. Priceless.”
Dan Sager and Marilyn were joined by Danny the first season. Danny brought his wife Winnie in 2022, along with a dozen non-Y, but very talented. workers each consecutive year. Carmelita Gallo – new to the Hoosier Buell chapter and West VP of YMCA Alumni and Y Retirement Board Liaison – also joined the work each season. Daniel and Susan Wheeler from Indiana join in May 2023, 2024 and 2025. Thanks to all for their moral and financial support.
Click the arrow below to watch a video telling the story of our National Service Project.
(Photo above: Susan Wheeler holds the ladder for her busband, Dan)
It is time to re-connect to YMCA Alumni for 2026. "Re-connect" is a much better word than "renew." Almost half of our members have re-connected so far. The dues are $25 for National and $0 for the chapter.
Re-connect quickly and safely online. Just click the button below. If you don’t want to handle it online, there is a printable renewal form you can print from the web page, complete and send in with a check. When renewing please consider a donation to our chapter since we have no chapter dues. Questions? Email Terry Jones or call him at (765) 610-5521.
Larry Marshall Scramlin (1941- 2025) was married to Linda for 53 wonderful years. He left us Aug. 25. Larry served his country in the United States Air Force. He went on to be a director of the Rochester YMCA, and then drove busses for the Lake Orion School District. Larry enjoyed playing golf and traveling. Funeral services were held on September 4 at Village Funeral Home in Ortonbille, MI. Military honors were held at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Memorial donation in Larry’s honor may be made to Samaritans Purse.
Robert Malcom Williamspassed away peacefully Aug. 16 in Port Richey, FL at the age of 97. He was born in 1927 in Foxdale, PA.
Bob trained and served as a Radarman assigned to light cruiser duty and achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. His first job was with the Greensburg, PA YMCA as Physical Director and at the age of 26, was selected as its Executive Director - the youngest in the nation at that time. He spent the rest of his professional career in executive YMCA positions in four different states and developed numerous innovative programs. For the past 25 years, Bob was a nationally ranked top 10 swimmer in his age group in the U.S. Masters Swimming program. A private service was held in his memory.
THANK YOU
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT
A big THANK YOU to those who donated to the chapter for 2025:
John and Marjorie Alexander, Jean Allen, Keith and Rose Mary Askam, Rose Berberian, Dave Bergman, Jeanne Borzkowski, Kevin and Mary Ann Bush, Mary Beth Carmichael, Richard and Deborah Clanton, Lou and Sandy Drexler, Doreen and Dennis Durandetto, Richard and Barb DuRei, Don and Mary Franklin, Dick and Cheryl Fulmer, Roy and Mary Gilliom, Dennis and Susan Gray, Dave and Peggy Himes, Ken and Joanne Isherwood, Terry and Lynette Jones, Joe LaRocca, Shirley and Charles Ritter, Dan and Marilyn Sager, Lyn and Penny Schlegel, Glenna Sheets, Nancy Short, Sue Smith, Hwa and Ken Stacy, Don and Ramona Stetson, Barry Stephens, George and Terri Stewart, Reid and Cathi Thebault, Don and Martha Vreeland, Dan Wheeler, Robert and Delores Williams.
CHAMBERS IN COLUMBUS
WE JOINED IN THE FUN
The Chambers Chapter held a reunion in Columbus, Ohio with about 35 people in attendance. It was held at the new Hyatt Place hotel. Attending from the Hoosier Chapter were Terry Jones, Dale and Joy Packer, and Don and Ramona Stetson.
Activities included touring: an informative visit to a firehouse which displayed old engines and equipment, followed by a tour of the National Comic Book Museum. Dinner was held in the Budd Dairy Food Hall, a 3 story former cattle barn with multiple food courts throughout. As always, the highlights were meeting new friends and re-connecting with others.
LET'S CONNECT
FOR LUNCH
If you are in central Indiana, put this on your calendar. On February 4, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. there will be an opportunity to have lunch and connect with fellow retirees at the Denny’s Restaurant near Speedway. The address is 6241 Crawfordsville Road. Email Terry Jones if you plan to attend.
Hopefully there is someone in Northern Indiana or in Michigan that would be willing to host a Reconnect Lunch. It’s easy. No agenda. Just select a date and place and enjoy the fellowship. Email Terry Jones if you are willing and we will promote it.
MICHIGAN
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Our chapter very much needs to appoint an Alumni from Michigan to organize a 2026 chapter gathering in Michigan. (Dates are totally open.) Can YOU take the role with a fellow Michigan member or two or three? Please contact Dan Sager or Terry Jones.
Many ”old timer alumni” will remember Perspective, the Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP) magazine (1975-2009) that gave much focus on our professional service to the Y movement. In October, YMCA Alumni re-introduced the magazine online in a new electronic format with the focus on us as retirees. The initial edition has the “Fit” theme for all ages of Y retirees. Click the button below to read it. The next issue is Feb. 15, 2026.
OUR CHAPTER DONATES...
EAF, WORLD SERVICE
Our chapgter has donated $500 each to the YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) and YMCA World Service. We hope you will make indivisdual donations, too. Just click the links below to donate.
Be sure to book official YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and your own individual, family and referred friends' travel through Go Travel's expert agents. YMCA Alumni's national budget receives a percentage of all sales and you get the best prices, advice and a smooth booking experience.
2026 will bring choices of spring cruises in the Caribbean with one crossing the pond; an upscale train adventure on the Rocky Mountaineer; a C.I.E. luxury motor coach visit to Spain's amazing cities; cruise Classic Canada from Quebec City to Boston in the fall color season; sail into Alaska before the crowds; and a specialty cruise for knitters. We're starting to add trips for 2027, inclouding a terrific river cruise on the Danube.
Two trips for 2026 are already sold out (Scenic Switzerland by Rail and America's 250th in NY Harbor and Beyond on Cunard's Queen Mary 2). The lesson: Don't delay.
Visit the brand new Travel Club web page with direct access to all trips for details and booking by clicking the button below.
The Holidays always make for a time to reflect on family and friends. We hope you realize your many blessings and how lifetime relationships with your family, friends and YMCA Alumni speak volumes for a life well-lived.
The mission of YMCA Alumni is "to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."
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YMCA Alumni | PO Box 621 | Bowling Green, OH 43402 US
