As YMCA Alumni members, we are used to seeing our charitable dollars at work. We all have observed the fruits of our investment in action and there is nothing like it. To really appreciate the impact sometimes we have a need to “get our hands dirty,” so to speak.
I was truly privileged and fortunate to spend 40+ years in a YMCA career. I appreciate all that came along with the amazing experiences I have had with the Y. It’s a difficult decision to make, but retirement has been an opportunity for both me and the Y for positive change. It’s a wonderful time of life, but also a little scary.
There are voids that need to be filled. Spending more time with family, grandchildren, playing a little golf, traveling and generally having a little more leisure time are all quite enjoyable, but as a lifer in the Y, there still is a fire burning inside to do something impactful.
I read about the amazing work that the New England YMCA Alumni were doing in the Dominican Republic with their 10-year-old Homebuilding Project and thought maybe this is just the sort of thing I was looking for. I sent in a modest donation and signed up to help.
At the time it seemed a long time away. All of a sudden, the time came and I’m thinking, what did I sign up for? I did not know any of the people going nor much about the logistics of what we were doing or what I needed to prepare for.
I was sent an extensive list of what to bring and what to expect. At the airport, I checked my bag in with a hammer, a 2-pound sledge hammer, a crow bar, paint rollers and a box of industrial garbage bags. I wondered what security might say, but got through without a question...
