Founded 1972

Sam Schreiner Chapter

Serving Texas; Oklahoma; SE New Mexico; S. Arkansas; W. Louisiana

December 2022

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Bottom photo: A "dinner with friends" at Galatoire's in the French Quarter in New Orleans L- R Jim Heiman, Pam Power, Kathleen Owens, Durwood Owens, and Emilie Heiman. Top row L-R: Ellen and Craig Schaefer, Johnie Mae and Chuck Dandridge, Pam Power with FDR at National World War II Museum; Chuck and Johnie Mae Dandridge in the French Quarter; "Dinner with Friends" at Galatoire's L-R Craig Schaefer, Terry Seth, Elizabeth Seth, Johnie Mae Dandridge, Chuck Dandridge, and Ellen Schaefer; Suzanne McCormick, new CEO of Y-USA, addresses the reunion. Photos by Pam Powers.

Hello Craig,

By now you have all received your 2023 membership renewal packet in the mail, and I am looking forward to everyone renewing for another year.

By renewing you can enjoy the benefits of being a member of YMCA Alumni family.Speaking of benefits, we had a blast at our Fall Gathering in Hot Springs in October. Our next Gathering will be in Fredericksburg, Texas April 11 thru 13. Check out our next newsletter in 2023 for all the details and make plans on attending.

The YMCA Alumni Reunion '22 was fantastic and our chapter had the largest attendance with 17 total. We enjoyed meetings, tours of New Orleans and, of course, great food and fellowship. We also had our auction for World Service and raised $1,525 as we auctioned the famous Wild Bill Hickok Belt Buckle.

Be sure to check out Chuck and Johnie’s membership report, Jim’s Financial report and Carmelita’s report on the National Service Project. Please remember to donate to the project and or volunteer for one of the waves next year.

Congratulations to our very own Suzanne Mabie as she was inducted in the class of 2022 YMCAs of the Southeast Hall of Fame.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all and I’ll see everyone next year.

In the last newsletter our balance as of July 31, 2022 was $8,589.90. Our only income was $360 for our fall conference and expenses during the months of August (-$1,050), September (-$500) and October (-$865.55) for a net loss of $2,064.55.

These expenses were from designated donations and pledges to EAF, National Service Project and expenses to a President’s training and our Fall Conference. This brings the current balance of our chapter as of October 31, 2022 to $6,534.35. (There is still a pledge of $500 to NSP.)

We had a very successful World Service auction at the YMCA Alumni Reunion '22, raising $1,525 from our chapter. These funds (in and out) will be reflected in our November statement.

Our membership currently stands at 55 units and 85 members. Eight of our members have achieved lifetime membership status as well (congratulations to each and everyone on this achievement). 

Renewal and new membership registration is upon us now,and we ask many of our retirees to join and get involved in this organization that is focused on delivering outstanding fellowship interaction to Connect, Travel and Serve. 

I would like to express how much we look forward to an outstanding 2023 and the joy of being a part of a dynamic movement like the YMCA. I believe this will be an exciting year for our chapter and the YMCA Alumni chapters across the country. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year.

Here are the remaining dates on the Membership Renewal Calendar:

December 9: Reminder Post Card ~ mailed to all Members Not-Yet-Renewed via USPS First Class mail.

January 10: Reminder email ~ sent to all Members Not-Yet- Renewed.

February 1:  Renewal Report #6 & Chapter Report of All Not-Yet-Renewed

February 16: Final Renewal Report ~ sent to Chapter Presidents and Membership Leaders

February 28: All Non-Renewals become inactive

March 1 : 2023 Active roster ~ sent to Chapter Presidents and Membership Leaders

Volunteers from Wave 5 at the National Service Project on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation at the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires (formerly the Sioux Indian YMCA). Chapter members are: Pam Power second row, third from left and Genie Mysorski second row seventh from left . Photo by Randi Sidman-Moore.

After many delays and challenges with construction schedules, supply chain issues, labor shortages and more, YMCA retirees and their families and friends have built the first tiny home in Dupree, South Dakota.

The 585 square-foot home with a loft was finished just in time before the severe winter weather which typically starts in October. Six waves of volunteers worked in the months of May, July and October and completed many projects for the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires (formerly known as the Sioux YMCA) in addition to building the tiny home.

Plans are underway for recruiting more volunteers in 2023 to continue the project. There will be eight waves next year: Four in May and four in September. Registration information will be available in January on our National Service Project website so you’ll have plenty of time to plan a visit and we hope you do.

The 2023 campaign kicks off January 1 and the goal is $250,000. If we’re successful in raising these funds, we will be able to build three more tiny homes and two “twigs” or small program centers in remote areas of the reservation. Please be generous when chapter members reach out for a contribution.

National Service Project committee members made a presentation at the YMCA Alumni Reunion in New Orleans in November and shared a new video that will also be available on the website. In addition, YMCA Alumni announced the next Reunion will take place in late January-early February 2025.

(Photo: The walls go up by Randi Sidman Moore)