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

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.

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!

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

The Pool...

I love my Y because of:
The people
The price
The perks
And the pool.

Craig Murphy, Ward Family YMCA Member

Donate

Please visit the Legacy Event web page to donate. Click on the link in the lower right hand corner - People Helping People Donations - Please specify Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA when donating

http://www.ymcacolumbus.org/legacy

Support

I appreciate having a place like the Ward Family YMCA to go to and exercise. Since I stated the Diabetes Education and Support group I have stopped smoking, lost weight, decreased my medications and I am much more conscious about what I eat. I tell everyone I know about the program and how the YMCA helped me and improved my quality of life. I love my Y!

Eileen Sellars
YMCA member

Community

The Y for me and my family is a place that we can go to to help us stay health. Aside from the weight room, which I love!... I enjoy taking the classes also provided at the Y. It;s a place that I can get to know the people within the community and share concerns that may be going around the neighborhood. It's like a huge clubhouse for the entire family to enjoy.

Sam

Respect

I love my Y because I get treated with the utmost respect. I also love my Y because it's a good place to meet new friends and have a good time. I love my Y because I like the staff and it's a good place that keeps me out of trouble and gives me a safe environment. I love my Y because they help me with my homework and if I don't have any they find something for us to learn about. My has really helped me grow as a person and I love everyone here.

Nikko, 15 years old

The After School Program

I love my Y because they created the after school program. The program helps kids complete their homework, provides snack and keeps you physically fit. We play cardiovascular games like soccer, football, etc. A membership to the Y is recommended because of the friendly staff and the fun of being fit.

Aaron, 10 years old

I Love the Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA because:

It has a warm and spirited family feel. It is a safe haven for young and old alike, which makes it an ideal environment to promote activity and healthy lifestyle. Also, it is located in the heart of the neighborhood, which I call home.

Bertha

It's where I get full...

Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA provides me with an opportunity to give back, give now, and give forward; give back because it helped mold me as a youngster and prepare me for success, give now because it's where I volunteer, work out, stay connected, learn and share, and give forward because I donate to the PHP which helps others have the Y as a resource to improve the quality of their lives in so many ways! I LOVE MY Y!

Save the Date! What will your legacy be? Be a part of ours...

2nd Annual Ward Family YMCA
Legacy Celebration
February 12, 2009 5:30 p.m.
The King Arts Complex
867 Mount Vernon Ave, Columbus, OH
Program immediately following reception.

Join Mayor Michael B. Coleman to celebrate the long legacy of the Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA in building our community, encouraging philanthropy, supporting family values, and promoting the principles that keep our doors open to all.

Honoring the contributions of Ms.Charleta Tavares.

For RSVP information or to discuss how you can be a
part of our legacy please contact Mary Buck.
Telephone - 224-1137 x116
Email - mbuck@ymcacolumbus.org
Blog - ilovemyY.blogspot.com
Facebook - I Love My Y! Now More Than Ever