DECEMBER 2024 * VIEW AS WEBSITE

CONNIE CLARK

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

As I write this after a small family gathering for Thanksgiving, I am also reminded of my reliance, gratitude, and thankfulness for my YMCA Alumni Family over the past two years as President of the Chambers Chapter. I had great plans for what I might accomplish over that tenure, just as I had plans for my Thanksgiving meal and preparations for my family visit.

Neither went exactly as planned. But both were very meaningful and important to me. I depended on family members to help me deal with an unplanned event right before the meal preparation was completed on Thanksgiving. And I ended up depending upon the insight and support of my YMCA Alumni family, especially during this last year.

I have been so blessed by both “my family” groups over many years. I have often said a good life is about relationships. People you love and admire, people you cross paths with along your life journey, people you have worked with, shared events with, shared trips or adventures with and, most importantly, people you have faced challenges with.

We must keep learning, engaging, and developing new relationships while we nurture our old ones. This is, to me, the essence of our existence. As an introverted person in private and a somewhat extroverted person in public, I know I cannot go it alone.

You will be reading articles in this newsletter by many of the people I am talking about who serve on the Executive Committee. We have shared a lot over the last two years and going back to our Y employment.

The YMCA Alumni members of the Chambers Executive Committee and those officers and members serving in the other chapters are people worthy of having a relationship with. These are kind, unselfish, caring, strong, valued, independent thinkers willing to share their time and talents with us. Please read the articles. You will see what I am talking about. Their stories and information will give you a window into their hearts.

I am so blessed this holiday season to have worked alongside such wonderful Y people from 1975 who are still going. Please put it on your calendar to come to events, go on some of our travels, volunteer for one of the committees, and share your thoughts with any current or future committee volunteers. I am sure you will be glad you did. I wish you blessings during and after this Christmas and holiday season. May you have a new year of renewing and enjoying new meaningful relationships throughout the new year.

NEW SLATE OF OFFICERS

LOWELL NEES IS PRESIDENT

New officers for the YMCA Alumni William S. Chambers Chapter to serve from Jan. 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2026 were elected at the last chapter meeting in September. They are:

Lowell Nees, President (left photo)

Tony Delisio, First Vice President

Bill McAllister, Second Vice President

Mike Lieber, Treasurer

Julie Kauffman, Secretary

Connie Clark, Immediate Past President

FALL REUNION

SOARING HIGH IN DAYTON

Chapter members gathered in Dayton, Ohio, in September for two days of fun and fellowship. As the Birthplace of Aviation, the city offers plenty to see and do.

Carillon Historical Park includes the Wright Brothers National Museum and the 1905 Wright Flyer III, along with many other displays about Dayton's manufacturing history. Our visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was terrific, with so many displays and activities that it would take days to see them all.

On our second evening, we gathered for a wonderful dinner with Dale Brunner, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton, giving us a glimpse of the Y’s tremendous impact throughout the community.

Our business meeting included an update on the many projects with YMCA Alumni and the election of our new slate of officers. Our time together included stories of our Y experiences, laughs, new friendships, and the renewal of long-time friendships. It was a wonderful time, and we encourage everyone to join us for our next event. Watch for details.

RENEW ONLINE

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

FRED COOPER

BY CINDY KOENIG-DAGGS

I’m pleased to write this article about Fred Cooper, who had a tremendous impact on my Y career. Fred hired me for my first Y job at 15 and also for my second professional position. Fred was responsible for keeping me in the Y.

When my daughter Megan was almost one, her babysitter didn’t work during the summer, and I didn’t feel good about changing caregivers, so I told Fred I would have to quit my job. He said let’s think this through and see if we can find a solution. At the time, summer was my slow time. He allowed me to take the summer off as long as I could maintain my programs and come in about once a week. It all worked out, and that’s my story. I imagine something like this would never happen today.

Meet Fred Cooper: Fred’s 33-year career with the YMCA started quite by accident. During his senior year at Fairmont State University in West Virginia, he was walking down the hall of the Administration building when he saw a sign that announced the Ohio-West Virginia YMCAs were conducting interviews. The jobs were for summer camp, and Fred already had a summer job, but he was invited to attend a placement conference in Columbus, Ohio. Before the meeting, B.P. Allen asked him to interview for an Assistant Physical Director position in Middletown, Ohio.

During a tour of the YMCA, Fred saw several naked men swimming in the pool, which was his first time in a YMCA. Even though he had multiple interviews at the conference, he accepted an offer made by the Middletown YMCA.

Fred’s first week at Middletown was spent teaching in the Learn to Swim program that had 360 children enrolled. Dick Jones, Fred’s immediate supervisor, was away at a YMCA Training School, so Fred, B.P., and a great group of Leaders Club members ran the program. Three weeks after beginning his job, Fred attended the Ohio-West Virginia Physical Directors Conference, where he was immediately impressed with the caliber of professionals he met.

After experiencing the conference and seeing the directors who received the Physical Director of the Year Award over the years and were members of the Maverick Society, Fred set his sights on achieving this milestone and, in 1975, the goal was achieved.

Fred credits B.P. Allen and Dick Jones with setting the example of what a true YMCA professional should be. After three years at Middletown, Fred accepted a job at the Wooster YMCA, where I met him, participated in his Lifeguard Certification, and started my first YMCA job. Fred would also start a new YMCA in Orville, Ohio (1970-71).

Fred returned to Middletown as the Physical Director In 1972, and in 1984 he was promoted to Assistant Executive Director and soon after to Executive Director. During the 1980s, Armco decided to fund Fred’s position for three years because of Y's great reputation in Middletown. He dedicated a year to receiving certifications in nearly every YMCA fitness program.

During this time, Fred became a faculty member for the Y’s Way to a Healthy Back, eventually recognized by the Ohio State Bureau of Workman’s Compensation. Fred also served as the President of the Heart Association of Butler County. A new YMCA building was opened next to the original Middletown building In 1984.

One highlight that Fred is most proud of was when his wife, Linda, secretly applied for him to be a Torch Carrier for the 1996 Olympics. He was excited and honored to be chosen to carry the torch, and when interviewed by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Fred said he represented all “the short, little fat guys in Southwest Ohio.”

Fred retired in 1999. He and Linda recently moved from Florida to Chesapeake, VA to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law.

TIJUANA BOUND

ISC VISITS MIGRANT TEENS

After months of preparation, six YMCA alumni traveled to Tijuana to work with migrant youth. The YMCA Youth Migrant Center is where the teens stay because they are displaced from their families. One young lady has been there for almost a year.

Before our visit, I suggested that the ISC Committee find out what the children needed. Valeria Ruiz Griego, CEO of the Casa (Tijuana) YMCA, sent us a list of clothes, school, office, and medical supplies. My goal was to reach out to national YMCA vendors to see if they would be willing to donate to this worthy cause. After weeks of phone calls, emails, and follow-ups, I secured approximately $24,000 worth of various items for their use. We also had help from Lou Falk, who helped secure roughly $14,000 in new athletic shoes from some friends. Debbi Zvanut, from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, also raised $1,000 through her friends and chapter.

After we arrived, our goal was to give each teen a gift bag, as shown in the picture above. Then we had lunch, played Bingo, and took them to Wal-Mart. We thought it would be nice to let them buy some things they'd never had.

During part of our stay, we also did some painting (Photo: Wayne wielding a paint brush) at two of their locations and had the opportunity to meet and talk to a lot of the staff. We also met the YMCA of Mexico CEO, Dr. Oscar Valezco, and met with Todd Tibbits, CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County. We are all working on a border coalition with them and will have more information in the future.

MIKE LIEBER

RESOLUTION: BE KIND

I remember all those resolutions we make as we approach the new year, only to be overwhelmed in January and February. At the beginning of a new year, all my good thoughts are lost.

So, I offer you no resolutions but rather guideposts to keep us on track. Be kind this year, even to those who aren't always kind to you. Offer a kind word or thought to make their day better. I challenge us to offer a random act of kindness this year. It can be as simple as paying for the car behind you in line at McDonald's or Tim Hortons. Finally, do something for yourself that makes you feel good.

Remember, if you forget to do something today, tomorrow is a new day to begin again. Reflect on Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself.” This verse implies that to be kind, compassionate, and generous to others, we must first be these things to ourselves.

STEVE GUNN

NATIONAL SERVICE PROJECT

I want to thank all the Chamber Chapter members who volunteered and went to Dupree in 2024. Fourteen alumni and friends volunteered for a week and gave their time, talent, and treasure to help work on one, two, three, or four Tiny Homes in progress. The treasure commitment for volunteers is at least $1,200-$1,500 each for the week.

We should be very proud of our chapter — I know I am.

The project itself is going great. Here are a few financial statistics to consider:

$922,818 has been raised to date; non-YMCA Alumni have contributed more than $155,000 as part of the total; chapters have contributed $76,000 toward the total; YMCA Alumni Members have given $478,000; YMCAs across the U.S. have contributed $23K of the total, and we have received over $115K from other sources. The project is on budget, with expenditures a little less than expected.

All four tiny homes are up and will be completed in time for a celebration Sept. 22-23, 2005 (details in the spring). Twigs' (small ”branches" in outlying communities) progress includes architectural plans, planning in each communities, and additional fundraising (Grant and Foundation applications submitted).

A Tiny Home Operation Manual is in draft form. This is the Ys "How, What, and Why" document on how programs will be delivered to residents.

Our National Service Project website is your link to everything, with up-to-date pictures and information. It highlights the YMCA Alumni Vision/Mission, our Partner, Volunteer opportunities in 2025, and giving. It’s not too late to go next year or to give. Click the button below to visit.

If you have questions about Your Y Alumni Project, please email or call me at 740-412-7934.

Service Project Website

TONY DELISIO

YMCA WORLD SERVICE

One of the most widely known and loved spirituals, “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands,” is sung by young and old everywhere. First published in 1927, this universal hymn reminds us that we are never alone and that “we are His.”

Thanks to your generous hearts, our neighbors around the globe are feeling His presence. We are grateful for your support of World Service in 2024. To date,16 Chambers Chapter members have contributed $3,550. The total YMCA Alumni Giving is $180,748. Overall this year, $1,945,224 has been raised for World Service.

There is still time to give. Donations to World Service can be made through Dec. 31. Check out the 2024 YMCA Movement Strengthening and World Service Report by clicking HERE and the information below on ways to give.

Donate to World Service

HARRY BRADBURY

YMCA HISTORY: 'ITINERATE MAT MAN'

Most elderly physical directors will remember an unshaven, grubby-looking fellow who would appear out of nowhere, wanting to know if any of our mats needed repair.

This was in the mid-1950s. I was just new to the physical department of the Dayton Central YMCA and knew several 8x5 canvas mats were hanging on the gymnasium's walls.

On inspection, nearly all the mats had ripped seams, and George would offer to hand stitch them for a very reasonable price if he could sleep at the Y overnight and have an advance for his meals until we paid for the work (in cash). He seemed very trustworthy and full of life stories and experiences.

At our recent Chambers Chapter Reunion, I shared this memory with Dale Packer, who immediately not only remembered George but had written the following history about him, which I now share with others, like Dick Bennett (The Original), who also knew of his visits to Youngstown.

Dale writes: “While working in Dayton, I met a man I had known at the Dover YMCA as a Jr. Leader. He went from Y to Y around the country, repairing and making specialized gym mats for YMCAs. His name was George Hoerstman, and he was an old seaman trained to make and repair sails for ships. When he no longer needed to make sails, he turned his craft into making and repairing gym mats, traveling around the country doing this.

"Once done at one Y, he would move to the next town with a Y and get work repairing their mats. George would stay at the Y as their guest, get paid, and move on to the next Y. Not much of a life, but I met him at Dover and Dayton and was fascinated by his ability and the stories of his travels. Things are different now, but memories like this remain precious. "

And now you know the rest of the story.

BILL MCALLISTER

MORE HISTORY: IF WALLS COULD TALK

Imagine the hope and anticipation of what a new YMCA means to a community! These aspirations are evident in the two masonry relief sculptures installed on the front of the Marion, Ohio YMCA when it was built in 1953. The photographs show the two reliefs and a current picture of the 1953 YMCA, with the two sculptures still in place. The old Y building still stands in downtown Marion at 193 E. Church St. and is a nonprofit affiliated with Be Ministries. The Marion Y moved to its current location in 2004.

KEITH LANDS

MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH EAF

The Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) of the YMCA of the USA is making a difference in the lives of our colleagues in need. By supporting EAF, you can help in challenging times.

This year, EAF has raised $58,518, of which Alumni giving donated $18,949. The fund has awarded $41,084 to 22 qualified persons and is reviewing several more applications.

Our Chambers Chapter raised $2,910 through 14 gifts. Thanks to Steve Gunn’s birthday donations, we have raised an additional $360, which went into the general EAF fund. Thus, our total is $3,270, which is closer to our goal of $4,000.

Your support with end-of-year makes a difference to our colleagues in need. Click the button below to donate online. Or, send your check to Emergency Assistance Fund, c/o YMCA of the USA – Financial Development,101 N. Upper Wacker Dr., 16th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606

DONATE ONLINE

2025-2026 ADVENTURES

YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB

June 17-July 3, 2025:

Land of the Midnight Sun Cruise on Emerald Princess

Sept. 14-24, 2025:

Majestic Canadian Rockies Globus motor coach tour.This trip is SOLD OUT. You may join the waiting list as it is likely there will be cancellations. Other dates may be available.

Oct. 8-18, 2025:

Istanbul to the Adriatic cruise on Explora

Feb. 21-March 9, 2026:

Charms of the Mekong River Cruise on AMA Waterways with land extensions. This trip is SOLD OUT. You may join the waiting list as it is likely there will be cancellations. Other dates may be available.

May 15-23, 2026:

Scenic Switzerland by Rail with Cosmos Tours This trip is SOLD OUT. You may join the waiting list as it is likely there will be cancellations. Other dates may be available.

June 5-12, 2026:

Alaska: The Last Frontier cruise on Celebrity Edge

Photos: Istanbul to the Adriatic on Explora; Alaska -- The Last Frontier on Celebrity Edge

SUE SMITH

AN EDITOR'S NOTE

First, on behalf of the whole chapter, I want to thank Connie Clark for all her hard work as the chapter president these past two years. In many ways, the president’s role is a thankless one and especially difficult when trying to balance all of life’s other obligations and still do this work.

I also want to congratulate our incoming officers and thank you for your willingness to take on these responsibilities.

As I put together this Chambers Chatter issue, I read all the stories with amazement and pride for our shared history, the depth of our experiences, and the wonderful work that YMCA Alumni are still doing in our chapter and across the country.

Cindy’s story about how her CEO was willing to look beyond the standard “rules” and think of a solution that would allow her to balance her life as a Y director and a young mother. Harry’s story of a man who used his talents to help local Ys and the Y, in turn, enabled him to make a life for himself. Wayne’s, Steve’s, and Tony’s articles are about the work being done around the world and here in our country to improve people’s lives.

Many people generously give their time, talent, and treasure. I hope you’ll take the time to read each of these articles, and I’m sure you’ll feel that same sense of amazement and pride. I’ve always been grateful for my time with the Y, but these stories make me feel honored to participate in this movement.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I also want all the best for your teams (unless they play my team) in the upcoming college bowl games and the NFL season, but as one of the only Michiganders in the chapter, I have to say - Go Blue and Go Lions!