YMCA Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner 2010

Pictured left to right are David Nagel, Keith McMahan, Jan Nagel, Delia Denny, and Madge Henning.

Pictured left to right are Jason McDonald, Robbie Gill, President and CEO of the YMCA of Talbot County; and Kendra Sanders.

Pictured left to right are Blenda Armistead. Dr. Robert Ding, Dr. Laura Jin, Randy Holliday, and Deidra Holliday.

Pictured left to right are Bob Perkins, Nancay Labat, Jerry Jana, and Kay Perkins.

Pictured left to right are Ron Chiste, Jerry Hook, Mary Ann Chiste, Kit Hughes, Bill Carter, and Charley Carter.

YMCA of Talbot County Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner Celebrates Serving Community through Strong Kids Campaign

The YMCA of Talbot County Chairman’s Roundtable dinner recently celebrated a record year for raising funds for the YMCA’s Annual Strong Kids Campaign and Camp Lazy Days – two programs which benefit the families of this community. In 2009, the YMCA raised $212,000 toward these programs, while providing $285,000 in financial assistance to 3,200 families wanting to participate in the YMCA’s programs.

Through the Annual Strong Kids Campaign, the YMCA offers scholarships to participants of all ages. Support can be in the form of subsidized memberships, affordable after-school care, subsidized swim lessons, free camp experiences, and after-school programs for teens.

According to Jerry Jana, Chief Volunteer Officer of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Talbot County,

“I am glad to announce that we have not turned away one person from coming to the YMCA this year.”

This year’s Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner featured a recipient of the YMCA’s Open Doors Program. Jason McDonald of Easton credits the YMCA with helping him turn his life around following a period of using drugs and alcohol. Mc Donald commented,

“In July 2009, as part of my recovery, I made a commitment to go to the YMCA every day. It has really changed my life physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When I lost my job this year due to the economy, I could have lost my membership to the YMCA, but because of aid through their Open Doors Program, I was able to continue my membership. It has made all the difference in my life.”

He adds,

“This is now my home.”

Also celebrated at this year’s dinner were the funds raised for Camp Lazy Days, the YMCA’s free six-week summer camp for kids with special needs. Speaker Kendra Sanders of Easton, whose son, Jason died this year from an unnamed genetic syndrome at age seven, discussed the importance of the YMCA’s commitment to special needs children in the community. Although Jason never attended Camp Lazy Days, Sanders and her husband decided to have memorial donations for her son go to the Camp to fund a day trip for campers this year.

Sanders stated,

“While my son Jason’s life was unique, he was certainly not alone in leading a life as a special needs child.

There are scores of other children right here in Talbot County. Children, who like Jason, have value in spite of their incapacities. Children, who when given the opportunity can positively change the lives of the people around them.”

She added,

“Camp Lazy Days creates opportunities for opening the hearts and minds of the people of this community. It allows these children to become agents for understanding and acceptance of the disabled and handicapped.”

As the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Talbot County begins the process of defining a strategic vision for the role the organization will play in the health and well being of its members in the next 10 years, the board was encouraged by comments made by an executive from the YMCA USA who recently made a site visit. The executive observed,

“This is one of the very best YMCAs in the United States. It is a strong, vibrant, and progressive YMCA with high quality staff and strong leadership.”

President and CEO of the YMCA of Talbot County, Robbie Gill, stated,

“Our success in raising over $4 million toward our $5 million capital campaign goal speaks to the commitment in our community toward providing a place where individuals, families and youth of all ages can come together to be nurtured in mind, body and spirit.”

For information about donating to the 2010 Annual Strong Kids Campaign or Camp Lazy Days, contact F. Graham Lee, Chief Development Officer at the YMCA of Talbot County at 410-822-0566.