SANFORD-SPRINGVALE YMCA

MARCH, 2016 - In This Issue:
FOSTERING A CULTURE OF GIVING
At the Y, we believe the desire to belong and help others is human nature, and everyone has something of value to contribute to the greater good...even our youngest members of society.

Three times a week during circle time our preschoolers are learning about the importance of helping others and giving back to their communities.  Charitable involvement at a young age has been shown to help raise self-esteem, develop social skills and foster an introduction to the greater world.  Studies further show that children usually form their attitudes about sharing sometime between the ages of 6 and 10.  They will either develop an attitude of entitlement or stewardship.

With the help of their families, preschoolers are reaching out to family and friends for donations to the Animal Welfare Society.  Donations can be dropped off in the collection box at the YMCA.  

"The kids are really excited to deliver donations to the shelter the end of April," said Kristie Hurlburt, YMCA Marketing Director. "Preschool families, YMCA staff and members are stepping up to show their commitment to a culture of giving. A physician of one of the preschoolers has even offered to make a cash donation to AWS in the name of the preschooler."







TOGETHER,
WE CAN CREATE A BETTER US
At the Y, we believe we have something special - sense of community - and that everyone should have access to it, along with the programs and services that help us learn, grow and thrive. With the help of donors and volunteers, we were proud to share our Y with more than 450 children, seniors and families last year who otherwise might not have become part of our Y family.
 
  • Seven-year-old Stella was able to stay at summer camp after her father broke his back and was unable to work.

 

  • Amanda and her four children ranging in ages 6 to 14 years old were living in a home without running water. Amanda and her children were able to join our Y. The family enjoys their time together swimming and playing in the pool.

 

  • At the Y, no child, family or adult is turned away. As a result, we provided $130,000 in financial assistance through our scholarship program.

From safe spaces to academic achievement to family well-being and more, when you donate to the Y, you're giving those in need the opportunity to thrive.

 

Help us reach our goal of $50,000. 

 

GIVE NOW

 






Upcoming Events
Y INTERACT LEADERS CLUB
Two Wednesdays/month
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
 
FIRST AID, CPR & AED CERTIFICATION
April 6
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

PAINT NIGHT
April 15
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MEMBER REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR SPRING II SESSION
April 18

NON-MEMBER REGISTRATON BEGINS FOR SPRING II SESSION
April 20

SAFETY AROUND WATER
April 18 - 22
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm

FIRST AID, CPR & AED CERTIFICATION
April 23
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)
April 28
6:30 pm

SAFESITTER BABYSITTING COURSE
April 29
3:30 pm - 8:30 pm

HEALTHY KIDS DAY
April 30
12:00 pm

TRAFTON CHARITY WALK
May 7
9:00 am

FIRST AID, CPR & AED CERTIFICATION
May 14
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

BOYS' NIGHT OUT
May 21
5:00 pm

FIRST AID, CPR & AED CERTIFICATION
May 25
10:00 am

25th Annual Golf Tournament
June 14
8:30 am












Youth group collects
food for local pantry
11 youth from the YMCA Interact Leaders Club and 5 Rotarians bundled up on the morning of March 19 to collect donations in the Shaw's plaza to benefit the Sanford Food Pantry. The teens loaded up the Y bus with bags of food and delivered to the pantry that day.
 
"This was one of our larger donations of food," said Carol Cail Sanford Food Pantry Co-treasurer. "They even had cereal, fresh fruit and peanut butter, which are hard to come by." The Sanford Food Pantry, located on River Street, serves an average of 250 children, adults and veterans each month.
 
The YMCA Interact Leaders Club meets two Wednesdays a month at 6:00 pm at the YMCA and is open to youth ages 12 to 18 years. For upcoming community service projects, the club will be running activities at the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day on April 30, manning a water station at the Maine Coast Marathon in May, and participating in Project Sticker Shock. LEARN MORE
 
Members of the YMCA Interact Leaders Club dropping off donations at the Sanford Food Pantry.
Free Y program for all
Sanford second graders
Drowning can happen nearly anywhere with standing water. But, as a parent or caregiver, you can't keep your kids sidelined. You need to equip your children with the tools they need to be confident in and around water so they don't lose out on the health benefits of exercise, the opportunities to bond with family and friends and the sense of accomplishment when they learn new skills. Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The YMCA's Safety Around Water program can help you make sure they learn essential water safety skills, which can open up a world of possibilities for them.

This 5-session course teaches kids water safety and basic swimming skills that help reduce the risk of drowning and builds confidence in and around water.  The course is free to all Sanford second graders and will run during April school vacation week. Learn more


Walgreens collects
funds for YMCA
During the 2015 holiday season, Walgreens in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont collected funds for their local YMCAs. Ed Carr, Sanford Walgreens Store Manager, presented a check to the Sanford-Springvale YMCA for $356.
 
"It's wonderful when organizations recognize the work we are doing here at the YMCA," said Andy Orazio, YMCA CEO. "We appreciate the employees at Walgreens who helped raise these funds."
 
The funds will be used to support the YMCA's scholarship program, which allowed 450 children, families and seniors to be part of our YMCA community. LEARN MORE
Walgreens Store Manager Ed Carr and YMCA CEO Andy Orazio.
YMCA Titans compete
at state meet
The Sanford-Springvale YMCA Titans competed in the 2016 YMCA Maine State Swim Meet held at the University of Maine on March 4 - 6. 14 swimmers placed in the top 10 in the state. 17 year old Elaine Dudley took first place in the girls 200 free with a time of 1:56:73. Later that month, Elaine and Amanda Dudley competed at the New England YMCA Championship Meet and n ine swimmers competed at the MSI Junior Olympics Championship.
 
Elaine Dudley at state swim meet.

New café at the
Trafton Senior Center
The Trafton Café is now open for business!  Many individuals and local businesses came together to complete the Trafton Senior Center's latest project.

From left are Patsy Aprile and Kim LaChance, of Southern Maine Health Care; Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy; Trafton Center Director Thea Murphy; Mayor Tom Cote; Muriel Poulin, of the center's visioning committee; and

 YMCA CEO Andy Orazio.
Healthy Kids Day
Summer is the time for kids to get up, get out and grow. But for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are prone to gain weight and fall behind in studies. On April 30th, the Y will celebrate Healthy Kids Day®, our national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids.
 
We will kick off HKD at noon with an outdoor concert by Rob Duquette .  Families are encourage to bring a picnic lunch, blankets and chairs.  From 1:00 to 3:00 pm, there will be a variety of children activities coordinated the YMCA, local libraries, Black Kettle Farm, STEAM and Kids Free to Grow.  Healthy snacks will be provided by Hannaford, YMCA Trafton Senior Center, 5210 and the YMCA.  Public swim will start at 3:00 pm.  All activities are free to the community.