Thanks to so many of you who expressed their concern and encouragement about my knee replacement ordeal. I now have two new knees that should take me as long as I need them. By the time you read this message, I hope to have completed my therapy, be walking unassisted, and be able to drive again.
We just celebrated the completion of the Tiny Home phase of our National Service Project. The donors and volunteers who made this possible are to be congratulated for the admiration and appeal they brought to our organization. Click on the arrow in the image below to see the scope of our accomplishments. It is truly something to be proud of.
Plans for Phase 2, the “Twig” or small program center, are underway with completion expected within 2026. While there will be no formal fundraising campaign for Phase 2, the committee will accept donations from anyone who wishes to support the project. The current major need is for onsite workers to complete construction. As before, work groups will be scheduled in waves. For more information, contact Steve Gunn.
The Central Region will host the 2027 YMCA Alumni Reunion. The Planning Committee is being recruited now, and Region Vice-President David Rogers plans to have their first meeting in January. The Chambers Chapter is expected to supply a representative to the Planning Committee. The committee will meet by Zoom six times during 2026 and three times between January and May 2027. If you wish to serve on this committee, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Watch for information about the Spring 2016 Chambers Chapter Reunion. A “Save the Date” notice will be available soon with details to follow. Plan to invite another member to join us. Reunions are a fantastic way to get new members involved.
Photos: Top and second left: Lowell Nees, Tim Shetzer, Mike Lieber, and Wayne Daggs; Tony Delisio, Garfield, YMCA Alumni President Phill Morgan. Top right: Faith Patton Settles, Mary Moomaw, Phill Morgan, Cindy Koenig-Daggs; Bottom left: The group. Bottom right: Connie Clark and new friend; Mike Lieber, Faith Patton Settles, and Meaghan Shaheen.
Nearly 40 people gathered at the Hyatt Polaris in Columbus Wednesday, October 1, for a YMCA Alumni Gathering. We had attendees from five different states. It was wonderful to have Dick Jones join us. By a show of hands, it looked like Dick had mentored about half the room at some point in their career. President Phill Morgan joined us from North Carolina to give an update on National YMCA Alumni. Last but not least, Tony Collins, President and CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio, gave an inspiring update about the local YMCA.
We toured the 1908 restored Central Ohio Fire Museum Thursday morning. We learned a lot about fires in Ohio and how to prevent them. We toured the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in the afternoon. It’s the world’s most extensive collection of cartoons and comics. It was a fun time and also very educational.
We gathered at the Budd Dairy Food Hall Thursday evening (lots of folks were thinking about ice cream). It's a vibrant space with 10 kitchens, 3 bars, and a rooftop dining area. It was a sad time, though, for Cleveland Guardian fans as they lost their wild-card game during our time there to the Detroit Tigers (we watched the game on the large televisions scattered throughout the food hall).
We toured the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Friday morning. It’s a fabulous space with gorgeous pieces of art scattered throughout the venue. Many of their spaces will be closed for 18 months as they embark on a $35 million-plus renovation.
Our fellowship time was filled with lots of laughter, storytelling, trips out for ice cream, card games, and our current and past chapter presidents staying up until 1 a.m. trying to solve all the problems. All had a fabulous time. We hope more chapter members can join us for the next event. We’re always open to location suggestions and other ideas, so please reach out to any of the chapter officers if you have something in mind.
SAVE THE DATE:
Our Spring Reunion will be in Youngstown, Ohio May 20-21, 2026. More information: Connie Clark
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
THE LARRY AND HARRY RUNNING TEAM
In the late 1960s, a young man named Larry Smith, who was dealing with several challenges in life, including being blind and abandoned since birth, had come to live at the Dayton YMCA. Lou Cox, the long-time Physical Director at the Y, began working with Larry on jumping rope.
A short time later, the Y added an overhead running track, and a member encouraged Larry to give it a try. He did, but then said it just wasn’t for him. But the member wouldn’t let it go and kept pushing Larry, so he kept at it and soon it became somewhat of an addiction.
Then an amazing thing happened, and a decades-long friendship was formed when Harry Bradbury began running with Larry. With Bradbury wearing a scuba belt with a suitcase handle affixed to the back of it — and Larry hanging onto him with one hand — they competed in three marathons, 50 half marathons, and numerous other events.
In 1989, they were inducted into the Dayton Distance Running Hall of Fame as a team. But their bond goes much deeper than just running, as they have continued their friendship throughout all these years. This past summer, Larry celebrated his 87th birthday, and his story, including his friendship with Harry and the role the Y played in his life, was featured in an article in the Dayton Daily News. Click the button to read the full newspaper story.
It’s that time of year where we begin looking for that perfect gift for our loved ones. I don’t know about you but I have never found that one gift.
With our grandchildren now, we just text “give us some ideas” within a price range and within minutes we are good to go. With my wife, she dials up Amazon and it comes to the house. She gives it to me and I wrap it up. Done.
However, I believe we all have that perfect gift but, too often, fail to use it. It is the gift of time. Would that special someone enjoy a few minutes with you (without cell phone)? I think just like when, as YMCA directors, we would spend some time with our members getting to know each other; it is indeed, priceless.
So, my encouragement to all of us is spend less time on that perfect gift and take the time to spend with each other and enjoy God’s perfect gift to us: Jesus!
Welcome new Chambers Chapter members Mark Brunsman from the Toledo YMCA and Stephannie Kennedy from the Cincinnati YMCA. For this issue, we are sharing Mark’s Y story and we hope to share Stephannie’s in a future issue.
Here's Mark in his own words:
"I grew up in Toledo, graduated from the University of Toledo with a Master of Science in Geology. I worked for the YMCA throughout high school and college, starting as a summer camp counselor at YMCA Storer Camps.
"From there, I was hired as a lifeguard and swim instructor in Toledo and during those HS and college years, I worked in various roles at both Storer Camps and the West Y in Toledo. I was hired in 1987 as an Aquatic Director at the West Toledo Y and from there had a typical Y career moving up to various Executive Director positions, then to the Association Offices as the head of HR and Risk Management, which I continued in for 22 years (with a brief 3-year stint filling in as COO) until my retirement in 2024.
"In retirement, like many, I am relishing the chance to do some volunteer work, traveling, and enjoying a much more stress-free life. No big life changes are planned, and we plan on staying in the area. The Y has definitely been a blessing in my life in so many ways, which leads to my interesting tidbit.
"My wife Peggy and I met at the Y during the summer of 1980, while I was working as a lifeguard and she was working in the bathhouse. We have been married for 39 years and have one son and one daughter. No grandkids yet."
WAYNE UHRIG
A RETURN TO
CZECH REPUBLIC
The International Service Corps continues its work in different countries. Shortly after three YMCA Alumni returned from the Czech Republic, we were informed that they would like us to return and work on other projects. The Y in and around Prague is very active, and our support is needed.
We should also hear soon about our continued work in Tijuana, Mexico. They had a complete pool renovation in 2024, and have more they need done. Once we hear from their board, we will work with them to not only complete some renovation projects, but also provide professional development in Marketing, Youth Sports, and community support.
We are working with the General Secretary for Mexico, Dr. Oscar Velasco in Mexico City, and a fundraising plan has been presented to them with Bob Martin leading a training in January. The funds they raise in Mexico will be distributed to several Ys including Tijuana. We have several ISC members who are working with them on the border coalition, a joint project between the YMCA of San Diego County and the YMCA of Tijuana.
We are still looking for an aquatics professional to work with the Y in Salto, Uruguay. The volunteer does not have to speak Spanish. An interpreter will be available 24/7. If you would like to volunteer and complete an application, please contact me. An application means you are interested, but not committed.
Please email or callWayne Uhrig(740) 398-2830 for more information.
TONY DELISIO
WORLD SERVICE: WE CONTRIBUTED
During this season of gratitude, we thank you for being a part of the YMCA’s incredible reach and heart – across continents, cultures and generations.
Thanks to your generous hearts, YMCA partners around the globe are making a difference in their local community. We are grateful for the support you have provided to World Service in 2025. To date, 16 Chambers Chapter members have contributed $4,775. Total YMCA Alumni Giving is $198,309. Overall, $1,851,513 has been raised for World Service so far this year.
There is still time to give! Donations to World Service can be made through December 31. Check out the information below to learn more about the impact of World Service and ways to give.
Your Support Creates Global Impact:
Each year, YMCA World Service helps transform over one million lives across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and Europe.
Our YMCA global partners provide counseling, camping programs, employment training, education, leadership skills and so much more in over 50 countries.
Youth-led solutions project of YMCA Mymensingh in Bangladesh where community members could trade in their plastic bottles for a tree.
Your Contribution Makes a Difference:
$100 provides mental health counseling and support for young people
$250 trains young people and families in financial literacy and entrepreneurship
$500 gives food, shelter and humanitarian support to displaced families and refugees
Thank you for Changing the World for Good!
STEVE GUNN
UPDATE SINCE CUTTING THE RIBBONS
Here is an update on our National Service Project since the wonderful ribbon cutting for the four Tiny Homes were dedicated in September.
Our total for the National Service Project campaign to date is $1,015,940.69. That is wonderful and I have to thank our chapter for the gifts and pledges toward the grand total!
Included in the total is $35,025 raised to furnish each Tiny Home and have the needed appliances (washer/dryer, range, water heater and all heating and cooling equipment) for the families who will occupy each home.
Out of the grand total, we only have $7,156 in outstanding pledges to be paid. I am so excited for this statistic since loss of pledges typically range from 5-10 percent. Right now, our “loss” will be less than 1 percent. This is outstanding!
Lastly, I have been asked to serve one additional year by the leadership of the second phase of the Tiny Homes project, to help with the oversight of the building of the TWIG (small branch) in La Plant. This community is approximately 60 miles from Dupree. This assignment and my involvement will be defined by the Chambers Chapter Executive Committee soon.
Thanks goes to our givers, volunteers and many others who have encouraged us and supported the project from our chapter.
Nancy and I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
HISTORY: BILL McALLISTER
SIR GEORGE WILLIAMS
On a recent vacation trip to England, I had the opportunity to visit the gravesite of Sir George Williams. This is something I had wanted to do for a very long time and it was a meaningful experience for me.
Sir George Williams was born in England on October 11, 1821. Along with several other young men, he founded the YMCA in London in 1844. On the 50th anniversary of the founding of the YMCA, he was knighted by Queen Victoria. After his death on Nov. 6. 1905, he was commemorated with a stained-glass window in Westminster Abbey and was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The YMCA was founded in a drapery shop in St. Paul’s Churchyard. The memorial plaque above his grave reads: “My last legacy and it is a precious one is the Young Men’s Christian Association. I leave it to you beloved young men of many countries to carry on and extend”.
KEITH AND BECKY LANDS
A YEAR-END DIFFERENCE
The need for helping others, especially our colleagues, never ends. Please consider a gift to the EAF to help those retirees and full-time employees that are having financial emergencies during this holiday season. By supporting the Emergency Assistance Fund, you can be a part of helping in challenging times. The need for assistance for YMCA colleagues never ends because of natural disasters or personal calamities.
Help us reach our goal of $4,800 for 2025.
You can make a donation online by clicking the button below.
Or, if you wish, send a check to:
Emergency Assistance Fund
c/o YMCA of the USA – Financial Development
101 N. Upper Wacker Dr., 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
BE SURE TO INDICATE THAT YOUR GIFT IS FROM THE CHAMBERS CHAPTER, SO WE GET PROPER RECOGNITION.
Help make sure everyone has a great Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Join us for a river cruise on the fabled Blue Danube in Fall 2027.
GO SEE. GO DO. GO TRAVEL.
2026-2027 TRIPS NOW AVAILABLE
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.
Happy Holidays! As we enter this time of giving and celebration, I’ve been reminded of some of my favorite memories of the holiday season around the YMCA.
Of course, I always loved it when the members would drop off cookies and candy and other goodies at the front desk to share with everyone. So many temptations! And there were the staff parties and get togethers with the secret Santa gifts and gift “swaps”, decorating the building, family nights with Christmas themes. So much holiday joy!
One of my favorite traditions was having a “giving” tree in the lobby or some other way that people could donate toys or food or other gifts to a family in need. I’ll never forget one of those times when our staff team in Traverse City took a whole van packed full of toys, gifts, food and a real Christmas tree and delivered it to a family with four little ones. Everyone was there as we kept unloading everything and the look on their faces was priceless.
I loved that my Y career gave me the chance to be part of an organization that always looked for ways to give back to our community and the world around us. A few years ago, one of my friends started a tradition with a small group of us that reminds me of that same spirit of giving and of always looking at ways to be a positive force in our world.
Each year, we pick a local restaurant, one that isn’t a chain and where we feel the servers might need a little extra, and without telling anyone why we’re coming we make reservations for a group lunch. This started with six people and we’ve grown to 20 in four years. Then everyone chips in as much as they are able, minimum of $20, for an extra tip for our server. At the end of the meal, we present the server with a card and a gift box with the cash. Their reaction is priceless.
Their stories have brought tears and joy to our hearts. We call it Big Tip Tuesday and it’s spreading. Others are starting to take on this tradition. This year’s tip was over $700, our goal for next year is $1,000. Let’s spread the joy in any way we can this holiday season. Merry Christmas everyone.
