Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Inclusiveness

The Eldon W. Ward Y is to be celebrated for its rich history and celebration of diversity, both cultural and socio-economic. I love my Y for it’s commitment to inclusiveness; that regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, no one is turned away and is welcome to participate in the myriad of programs and services that our Y provides. I love my Y for being truly committed to the community it serves.

Theresa Saelim
Board Member

Sunday, February 8, 2009

More opportunities

Nedra Okwu said...
I love my YMCA because of the opportunities it allows for giving back to the community. The YMCA provides child care, fitness, and a place to belong for countless families.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Opportunity

I love my Y because of the services it provides to families and children in need… It offers a safe location, caring staff, and opportunities for personal growth that make a difference in the lives of so many. As a child, I had a need for such services. Now as an adult and as a Board Member of the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA, I am proud to help ensure these services are available to others.

~Dr. L. Shon Bunkley

Experiences

I love my Y because it's one of the places where I became the most physically fit I have ever been in my life. The encouragement, positive feedback, staff, members, classes, new found friends along with my trainer contributed to my winning first place as a fitness competitor on my 50th birthday 5 years ago. It was one of the best experiences of my life and is among my highest accomplishments.

It was also those same attributes of the Y that assisted me with my son during a time that he was struggling with anger issues. The staff was supportive and nurturing to him when they could have turned their backs on him. They included him in activities such as basketball that allowed him to run off some of his anger. He made friends that he still has today. He matured and grew to the point that they give him the privilege of working at the Y. He now has an opportunity to be a positive example to young men who may be struggling as he once did..

I can't image my life without the Elsie and Eldon Ward Y. One of the ways I have found to give back is by becoming a member of the consulting board. While I volunteer for this commitment I believe that I get so much more from the experience than I could ever give back. I encourage everyone to donate one hour a week or a month to volunteer at the Ward. The children need you and you'll be richly rewarded by the experience.

~Deborah M. Points, Board Member

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Always Welcome

I love the YMCA because I can always come here and feel welcome. The staff and members are great.

~Chris Barker

Family Atmosphere

I love the family atmosphere. Been coming for almost 10 years.

~Geoffrey Moorehead

Staff

I love the YMCA because of their staff. Anthony and Reggie are great!

~Karen Johnson

Fitness

I like the life fitness treadmill with its simultaneous display of calories, distance, time, incline, speed, and heart rate. I like its 5 minute cool down and I note starting and ending hart rates of cool down. I count my perspiration per minute with time display. I wish time display went to 99 minutes. Also I find the one minute pause very useful for recording rates on paper (heart and respirations).

~Frank Eubanks

History and Tradition

I love the history and tradition behind the Ward Family YMCA ...I love their place in the community and what it brings to the area.

Anonymous

Individual growth

I love my Y because it is a staple of the community and allows for individuals to grow!

~Katie Powell

It keeps me going...

I love my YMCA because it keeps me going and I meet nice people.

Anonymous

Friends and Fun

I love my Y because the people here are friendly. And we have fun! ~ Sherrena

I love my Y!

It's healthy way to make your day!

Anonymous

Home

I love my Y because I feel comfortable here! I know a lot of people and it makes the Y feel like my 2nd home!

Anonymous

Community

I love my Y because we are truly here for the community. The Y is a safe place for children to come and play. The Y is a social place for seniors and adults. The YMCA is just like family, because everyone cares about each other.

Anonymous

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

2nd Annual Ward Family YMCA Legacy Celebration

Columbus, Ohio-January 25, 2009- On Thursday, February 12, 2009 the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA will hold its 2nd Annual Ward Family YMCA “Legacy Celebration” at the King Arts Complex starting at 5:30pm.

This year the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA, along with Senate Minority Whip Ray Miller will celebrate our past, present and future by Honoring Dr. Wilburn Weddington, City Councilwoman Charleta Tavares and State Representative Carlton Weddington for their dedication, commitment and service not only to the City of Columbus, but also to the Near Eastside residents and neighborhood.

Each year the Ward Family YMCA supports our community through financial scholarships that enable children, adults and families to participate in YMCA programs and services. Last year, the Eldon Ward awarded $60,000 in scholarships; this year the need has grown to almost $100,000! With the recent closing of several recreation centers throughout the Columbus community, options for providing our children with safe and healthy activities have been significantly reduced. That is why now, more than ever, supporting our neighborhood YMCA is critical! It is in this vein that the Ward Family YMCA is holding its second annual Legacy Celebration in order to provide YMCA scholarships for those in our community that are in need.

Tickets are $25.00 per person and 100% of the ticket sales and all donations will benefit the Eldon & Elise Ward Family YMCA. Donations are tax deductable. Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://www.ymcacolumbus.org/legacy or at the following locations; Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA, 130 East Woodland Avenue, YMCA of Central Ohio, 40 West Long Street, or Zanzibar Brews, 750 East Long Street.

For tickets or additional information contact Tracy Taylor at (614) 221-8307.

www.ymcacolumbus.org/ward/index.php

My Y Makes Volunterring Fun

My Y has provided me with at least two wonderful opportunities to volunteer in a massively enjoyable way.

First, it allowed me to engage with YMCA youths while discussing one of my passions, Hip-Hop culture. Over the course of several sessions, I've had the chance to touch base with some of the younger YMCA members (usually while eating pizza) to discuss various aspects of Hip-Hop culture. We've discussed how to mine the culture for positive ideas such as entrepreneurship, leadership and creative expression. We've also discussed ways to avoid some of the negative aspects of the culture including misogyny, violence and drugs.

Second, my involvement with the YMCA has allowed me to interlink my work with the Y with my involvement with the University of Dayton alumni in Columbus. Every year, the U.D. alumni hold a holiday event called Christmas Off Campus. As part of this year's event, U.D. alumni met up with YMCA youth at Easton Town Center. With the assistance of movie passes from Todd Tuney, funds from the U.D. Alumni Association and the generosity of the attending U.D. alumni, we were able to participate in two wonderful events.

First, we went to see the animated film Bolt, which features the voice acting of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus. The U.D. alumni bought concessions for the Y youth. After the movie, we went to Gameworks and played a slew of video and midway games for hours. It was a wonderful Saturday event.

Darren L. Nealy, J.D.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Get the scoop on the Legacy Event

All event information is now available on our website...

2nd Annual Ward Family YMCA Legacy Celebration

Online ticket purchasing available!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Legacy Event Tickets Available

The Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA and Senate Minority Whip Ray Miller cordially invite you to attend the 2nd Annual Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA Legacy Celebration

Honoring our Past, Present and Future
Dr. Wilburn Weddington
Councilwoman Charleta Tavares
State Representative Carlton Weddington

Thursday, February 12, 2009
5:30pm-7:30pm

Program begins at 6:00pm

The King Arts Complex
867 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43203

Donation request of $25.00 per ticket
100% of all ticket sales and donations benefit the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA

For tickets or additional information contact
Tracy Taylor at (614) 221-8307

Tickets also available at:
Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA • 130 Woodland Avenue
YMCA of Central Ohio • 40 West Long Street
Zanzibar Brews • Tracy Taylor • 750 East Long Street