Greetings from the YMCA!

We have the rare privilege of being part of an organization that is 150 years old. We kicked off our celebration year this last weekend with an excellent insert in the Republican Eagle and two great stories above the fold in the Saturday paper. If we take a moment to consider how many companies of any sort sustain themselves over 150 years, I think you may get a perspective on how remarkable the sesquicentennial of a small nonprofit in a small town really is. Most of the towns in our area had a YMCA right after the Civil War and I’ll tell you a quick story on how that happened.

The Y started in London in 1844 and spread rapidly across Europe. A sea captain brought it to Boston in 1851 and by 1860 there were YMCAs all up and down the east coast. When the Civil War started, YMCA staff and volunteers went right along with the troops and provided valuable support services for the troops-things as simple as serving coffee and leading worship services.

They provided a needed service of writing letters home and reading letters from home to illiterate soldiers, led recreation programs and consoled the sick and wounded. Twenty YMCA staff and volunteers died with the soldiers during the Civil War. It is worth noting that Y staff and volunteers served both the northern and the southern armies.

The local connection to this story is that when the veterans came home from the Civil War, they rode the train to LaCrosse, Wis. and either took steamboats right up the river or some rode up the frozen river in sleighs piled high with buffalo robes. When they reached Red Wing, some of them decided to start a YMCA. It took a couple years to catch on but the same people that held the Union left on the second day of Gettysburg started your Red Wing YMCA right here in our beautiful river city. By that time there were Y’s in Hastings, Northfield, Winona, Faribault, Owatonna and St Paul.

Over the next 150 years, we have changed as the community needs changed. We’re doing few things now that we did 150 years ago – but we’re doing dozens of things to meet the changing needs in our communities. From a small beginning to an organization that serves 10,000 people per year – your YMCA is here to serve. I invite you to check in on our yearlong 150 th  Birthday Party!!

P.S. Check out our great new video by clicking the button below – it’s a knockout. Help us out by giving it a LIKE and SHARE on social media too!
-Mike

Other articles from the Red Wing Republican Eagle:
Member of the Month
Gil Warnacutt
Hello everyone!

My name is Gil Warnacutt and I have been a member of the Red Wing Y since 2018. I moved to Red Wing from Apple Valley with my wife in 2015.
I have two adult daughters. One lives in Birmingham, Alabama and my other daughter lives in St. Paul.

I enjoy coming to the Y as often as I am able and participate in classes such as Playground, YZone, and Gloveworx. Since I retired several years ago as an insurance claims adjuster, I have the time to pursue my health and wellness goals.

The staff at the Y has been very helpful and has guided me through my journey to pursue health and fitness. The other members have been great to train with and have all been very supportive. I also pay close attention to my nutrition and use a method called time-restricted eating. This regime, along with my current training at the Y has resulted in my weight loss of close to 60 pounds over the last 12 months. 

Another pursuit of mine is a Japanese martial art known as Aikido. I have trained in this art for the past 25 years and teach at a dojo in St.Paul.

When I'm not working out at the Y or going to St. Paul, I spend a lot of time with my dog Bentley.
"The Y is much more than a place to work-out, it is a great community of people. "
Your enthusiasm and support for the YMCA programs and services we provide is contagious! More than 380 donors have contributed more than $190,000 toward the Red Wing Family YMCA's Annual Campaign that supports our scholarship fund! We are nearly 90% of the way to our goal of $220,000.

A special thank you to the  Red Wing Shoe Foundation  for their recent generous gift! Every dollar helps, every dollar stays at our YMCA, and every dollar ensures that nobody is turned away from OUR YMCA.

It's not too late to make a charitable contribution to the Red Wing Family YMCA's Annual Campaign, so that we can close the gap, achieve our goal, and be the Y for everyone...today, tomorrow and always.

Please visit  click here  to learn more or designate a gift to the Annual Campaign!

Thank you for your support! 
Mike Melstad
LOCK IN 2019 RATES | FEBRUARY 6-10 ONLY!!
Join us for Passport to Summer
LOCATION
Red Wing Family YMCA

DATE AND TIME
02/07/20 4:30pm - 02/07/20 7:30pm

Open to everyone-free event featuring all summer youth programming including Camp Pepin & school-aged day camp-Kids Power Club!
I'll be there!
Maybe
I can't make it
CARDIO. STRENGTH AND CYCLES...OH MY!

Before the beginning of March, we will be getting new equipment in the Wellness Center! Once it arrives-schedule a new equipment orientation (30 minutes) for free with one of our Healthy Living staff members!

New members to the YMCA should still schedule a New Member Orientation for the $20 fee.
SAVE ON YMCA CAMP PEPIN
Limited time only - 5 days of savings!
February 6-10, 2020
Online or In-Person
Visit us during Passport to Summer
on February 7, 2020 to try
camp-style activities including:
Climbing Wall, Gaga Pit,
Log Rolling in the Pool, Camp
Songs & Games, and S’Mores.
Plus, save money by signing up
for camp at this event.
Do you have a kiddo that uses the YMCA on occasion?
How about family members that come to
town on vacation or for the holidays?

We are now offering guest pass packages for our members and guests!

5 & 7 Day Packages Available (Purchase any package, get one day free!)

Youth / Young Adult (up to age 26)
  • $20 (5 day)
  • $30 (7 day)
Adult (26 and over)
  • $40 (5 day)
  • $60 (7 day)
Family
  • $80 (5 day)
  • $120 (7 day)

To purchase, call the Welcome Desk or stop by.
All packages must be purchased for the person using them.
We are seeking volunteers to help with all sorts of projects around the YMCA! From helping out with quick projects to smiling and welcoming members and guests at the Welcome Desk-there is something for everyone!

  • Welcome Desk Scanning
  • Spending time with children in our Child Watch spaces between ages 6 weeks to 8 years
  • Folding Towels / Laundry
  • Help with organizing and preparing marketing materials

We are also seeking gently used items like:
  • Boats, motors and water recreation equipment in working condition
  • Lawnmowers and snow equipment in working condition
  • Pickup Truck in good condition
  • Bob Cat in running condition
  • Golf Cart or gator in working condition
  • Kid's swim suits in good condition
  • Small air conditioners in good condition.

All equipment accepted would be donations to a 501c3 organization and qualify as deductions!
Building a better us.
Red Wing Family YMCA.
434 Main Street
Red Wing, Minn. 55066