SANFORD-SPRINGVALE YMCA                         March 2017



GIVE THE GIFT OF BELONGING

At the Y, we believe we have something special-a 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 519 children, seniors and families last year who otherwise might not have become part of our Y family.

 

  • Judith and her family enjoy their membership at our Y. Her 4 children ages 2-10 learn, grow, and thrive through participation in swim lessons and swim team. One of her two children that swim competitively on the Titans swim team finds that the structure of swim team provides him with personal focus and helps him manage his ADHD.

  • Phil and Lil are twins who live here in Sanford. Through the generosity of the Sanford Children's Project, Phil and Lil each received a full one week scholarship to summer camp. With help from our financial assistance program, Phil and Lil were able to finish the summer with us at camp. In their mother Susan's words, summer camp "changed the summer for Phil and Lil, allowing them the opportunity to grow and create memories that will last them a lifetime.

 

At the Y, no child, family or adult is turned away. As a result, we provided over $180,000 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.

Give now  for a better us.

 

TITANS STATE MEET

The Titans swim team swam to success in the Y State Meet last weekend at the University of Maine's Orono campus. 

Multiple swimmers finished in the top 10 in the state of Maine for their events.

Special recognition for placing top 10 in the state in their events goes to:
  • Sophie Olivo, 8 and under 100 medley relay (7th place)
  • Zach Kassim, 50 free (8th place)
  • Cooper Manser, 25 yard breaststroke (6th place)
  • Felix Rothwell, 25 yard breaststroke (8th place)
  • Hadley Legere, 100 IM; 100 medley relay; 25 yard breaststroke (8th, 7th, and 8th places respectively)
  • Rory White, 100 medley relay (7th place)
  • Amanda Dudley, 200 free; 100 fly (5th place in both evens)
  • Ami Kane, 100 medley (7th place)
  • Delaney Tanguay, 50 free (7th place)
  • Relay of Amanda Dudley, Delaney Tanguay, Tiffany Twombley, Pearl Frohloff: 5th place in 200 free relay
The Titans also had an impressive 21 State heat winners.

"This year's State competition was really just terrific," said Sarah Littlefield, the Y's Aquatics Director. "We had so many great swims, the energy was amazing, and all the kids worked so hard. We are looking forward to an AWESOME summer season!"

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR TITAN SWIMMERS FOR A GREAT SEASON AND STATE MEET!!!

 


 

UPCOMING EVENTS
CORE CONDITIONING:
MORE THAN CRUNCHES
March 16 6:30 PM

LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION
March 25, 26; Apr 1,2 

LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION
March 25, 26

SWIM INTO SPRING: 
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
March 24

SAFESITTER CERTIFICATION
March 31 3:30 PM

KIDS PAINT NIGHT
Apr 7 6:00 PM

FOAM ROLLERS:BE YOUR OWN MASSAGE THERAPIST
April 13 6:30 PM


LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION
Apr 14-17

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP
Apr 21 6:30 PM

PAINT NIGHT
April 28 7:00 PM

Call 324-4942 to register now!


We are currently in the second week of Spring I session.

Spring II Program Guide available April 3rd.

Registration for Spring II session opens April 10th for members, April 12th for non-members.



SUMMER TITANS SWIM TEAM

Registration for summer swim team is OPEN!

Full summer session runs 5/8 - 7/28. Half season sessions available.

Contact Titans Coach Tate Warden at twarden@sanfordymca.org for more information. 

 



CHARGE INTO SUMMER - HEALTHY KIDS DAY!

WHEN: April 29
          1:00 - 3:00 pm

A child's development is never on vacation. Healthy Kids Day is the Y's official start to your best summer ever! So make sure your kids get the most out of this summer...in spirit, mind and body.  Kick off your summer with us at the Y for an afternoon of activity, learning, creativity, and most of all FUN! 





OPEN GYM AT THE NASSON COMMUNITY CENTER IS BACK!

Open gym at the Nasson Community Center is back! The Sanford-Springvale YMCA has partnered with the Nasson Community Center to provide supervised free gym time four times a week. Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 2 - 4 pm. For individuals 15+ unless accompanied by an adult. FREE and open to the community!












ANNUAL DINNER CELEBRATION: HONORING COMMUNITY PILLARS
Community and YMCA leaders joined together to celebrate the Sanford-Springvale's 75 years of serving Sanford and surrounding areas at the Y's Annual Dinner Celebration on January 11th.

John Lee Dumas, author and host of renowned podcast "Entrepreneur on Fire", opened the celebration with remarks about how the Y "filled voids" in the lives of himself and his family. He began by thanking the Y community for their positive impact in his grandmother's life after the death of her husband and her eventual ALS diagnosis. For Dumas and his sister, competing on the YMCA Titans swim team in high school helped both build "grit and determination". Dumas expressed gratitude for skills cultivated at the Y that helped him feel confident enough to start his own highly successful podcast and helped his sister face a recent breast cancer diagnosis.

The 2017 meeting included a new community recognition award: the Y's first ever Community Pillar Award. Two sets of local individuals were acknowledged for their significant impact on one of the Y's three pillars of youth development, healthy living, or social responsibility within the community.

Pamela and Richard Lolley and Celina and Arthur Dumas were presented with the Youth Development Community Pillar Award for their fundamental role in the development of a summer youth program that enabled 53 local children to attend the Y's Camp Marland for one week.

Muriel Poulin, pictured above (center), received the Social Responsibility Community Pillar Award for her longstanding support of the YMCA Trafton Senior Center and years of community volunteering. At the beginning of 2017 Poulin had donated $100,000 to establish a trust in support of senior programs for the Trafton Center.

After the award presentation, Alden Thayer succeeded David Mount as YMCA Board President.

Read the full story published in the Sanford News  HERE .



SWEETHEARTS DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
Despite the snowy weather, over 175 young ladies and their dates danced the night away at the Sanford-Springvale YMCA's annual Sweetheart Dance on February 10th. Young ladies lined up in their finest attire for a marvelous evening of dancing and fun at the St. Ignatius Gym.
 
"The Y believes in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find the 'Wow!' factor inside themselves," said Jen Fenderson, the Y's Membership Director. "This event gives kids and families a special opportunity to create lifelong memories and connect with other members of the community."
 
For upcoming family fun, don't miss the chance to "Swim Into Spring", a free family fun night on March 24th, or the Y's annual Healthy Kids Day event on April 29th. Both events are free and open to the community! To learn more, visit sanfordymca.org.

SUBWAY RAISES FUNDS FOR YMCA
 

 
This January, Subways across York County raised a total of $1,072 in donations for the Sanford-Springvale YMCA.
 
On March 1st, Maryna Shuliakouskaya, Maine Subway's Marketing Director, (pictured second from right) presented the Sanford-Springvale YMCA with a check for $1,072.16. "It was a great experience working with the Y. It feels good to support our local community and people," said Shuliakouskaya.
 
All funds raised will support the Y's scholarship program to ensure that no child, family, or adult is turned away.
 
"The Y appreciates this partnership and Subway's support for our cause of strengthening community," said Andy Orazio, the YMCA's CEO.
 
Jen Turnbull manages the Springvale Subway location, which alone collected over $450. She credits the fundraising campaign's success to customers' willingness to invest in their community.  "People are more motivated to give when they know where their money is going, and that it's going local, not 'who knows where'," said Turnbull.
 
For Turnbull's family, the Y has its own special significance. "My daughter attends the Y's summer camp and loves it. There's not a counselor she doesn't like," she added.
 
Last year, the Sanford-Springvale YMCA gave out $182,000 in scholarships to make important services like membership, childcare, summer camp, and programs available to all regardless of financial status. Over 515 children, seniors, and families received YMCA scholarships in 2016 that enabled them to join the Y community.
 
"This is a great thing, but it also means there is great need," said John Roux of the YMCA board.
 
The Sanford-Springvale YMCA is currently in the midst of their Annual Giving Campaign to raise funds for the Y's scholarship program. Want to join the movement and make a difference? Visit sanfordymca.org/give. 


PARTICIPANTS BEAT WINTER BLUES AT INDOOR TRIATHLON
Participants arrived bright and early the morning of Saturday, February 18th to compete in the Sanford-Springvale YMCA's first indoor triathlon. 

The event consisted of a  10 minute swim, 30 minute bike ride, and 20 minute run. 

The Dubois relay team finished first overall with a total distance of 15.12 miles, 775 yards.

From the Dubois relay team, Susan took the lead swimming, with a distance of 775 yards in 10 minutes.

Also from the Dubois relay team, Stacy placed the farthest distance in the bike event, clocking an impressive 12.6 miles in 30 minutes.

Jim Hill competed individually and placed first in the 20 minute run with a distance of 3.01 miles.

"Everyone who competed in the Titans' first annual indoor tri had a great time," said Tate Warden, Titans Coach. "All our participants were excited about coming back next year to complete the course again!" 

For the latest happenings at the Y, visit sanfordymca.org or like us on Facebook.

CHILDREN FROM YMCA "SPREAD LOVE TO SENIORS"

Children from YMCA youth programs braved the cold and snow February 15th-16th to make Valentine's Day a truly special occasion for local seniors in need. 

In partnership with the United Way of York County, children in Y Owls Preschool, Kids Out, and Y Interact Leaders Club programs collected items such as fresh fruit and chocolate to create care baskets. Each care basket also contained a handmade Valentine's Day card. Children from the Sanford-Springvale YMCA spent a fe w hours "Spreading the Love to Seniors" by delivering handmade care packages to 30 local seniors within the York County community who are challenged by food insecurity. 

The USDA rates Maine as the number one state in New England for food insecurity. In York County alone, an estimated 3,392 seniors qualify as food insecure. 

"The lessons learned and the impact from this act of kindness were amazing, said Matt Ouellette, YMCA Youth and Family Services Director. "Some seniors were so happy they were brought to tears."

"We are excited to be able to offer the children in our programs quality life lessons that help them begin to understand the importance of social responsibility," added Ouellette.

The Y Interact Leaders Club looks forward to their next community service project: supporting the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk by collecting canned and dry food for the animals in the shelter and then spending some time with them on delivery day.

For more information about how you can give back to your community, visit sanfordymca.org/give.