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December 8, 2020
"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." --- Laura Ingalls Wilder
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In keeping with a year of masks, physical distancing, handwashing and limited contact to stop the spread of COVID-19, Santa plans to delight children and learn of their Christmas wishes in a 2020-appropriate way--- over Zoom.
Santa has set aside dozens of time slots for Eugene Family YMCA families to sign up for a cherished Santa visit. Santa is Zooming directly from the North Pole in the midst of the busiest season of his year, so please understand that Santa visits are limited to 10 minutes. Also note that his industrious elves might interrupt him with updates on toy-making or malfunctions in the toy factory. Santa has so much to do to prepare for Christmas Eve!
What: Zoom visits with Santa When: 10-minute time slots between Dec. 7 and Dec. 16 (more will be added if there is a lot of interest) Who: Children of any age and their families! Cost: There is no cost to schedule a virtual visit with Santa, however we invite you to consider making a donation to support the work of the Y if the holiday spirit inspires you. Note: Zoom instructions will follow registration.
Find Connection, Support, Fun with Y Staff on Zoom This Season
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It turns out that distance, as well as absence, makes the heart grow fonder. And since March, we all know quite a bit about distance.
That's why your Y is reaching out to create a little more closeness this season. We are inviting you to join us for relaxing conversation, laughter and smiles, and a huge dose of hope as we bring 2020 to a close.
You're encouraged to dress up in a holiday sweater and bring your holiday cheer. We can't imagine a better way to stay connected while our doors are temporarily closed.
| Y STAFF | DAY | DATE | TIME | | Kari | Wednesday
| Dec. 9 | 1 pm | |
Curt
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Thursday
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Dec. 10
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3 pm
| | Darryl | Friday | Dec. 11 | 1 pm | | Kari | Tuesday | Dec. 15 | 2 pm | | Brynne | Wednesday | Dec. 16 | 1 pm | | Colleen | Thursday | Dec. 17 | 3 pm | | Laura | Friday | Dec. 18 | 12 pm
| | Curt | Tuesday | Dec. 22 | 1 pm | | Sabrina | Wednesday | Dec. 23 | 12:30 pm |
Find these Zoom socials HERE. There is no need to register, just find the ones you'd like to join under "Live Virtual Classes" and add them to your calendar.
Note: Must be an active member to join.
Play Virtual Bingo, Win Prizes, Support Your Y with a special appearance by Magician Hart Keene
Your Y's virtual Bingo Night promises to be a highlight of your holiday season!
Grab a warm beverage, a cozy blanket, and join us for a night with your Y. You'll be WOWED during our halftime show presented by Mentalist & Illusionist Hart Keene from America's Got Talent. Prizes will be awarded after each of eight rounds of bingo and include gift cards to places like Sweet Life, Tacovore and Down To Earth. Special thanks to our Grand Prize sponsor Hoodoo Ski Resort!
Plus: You can show off the ugly Holiday sweater Uncle Joe sent you, be inspired by a Zoom-room full of ugly sweaters and win a prize for the ugliest sweater at the end of the night!
All proceeds benefit our financial assistance program to ensure no one is turned away due to financial hardship and allow your Y to run important programs for our community.
Date: Thursday, December 17
Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Price: $10 for one bingo card, $25 for 3
Visit our event page for details and tickets: CLICK HERE
Outdoor Classes Coming Soon!
In keeping with the Governor's orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some of our high-intensity Y classes will return to our Outdoor Studio the week of Dec. 14.
The cold weather will keep classes like gentle yoga and low-impact aerobics in a virtual format, but Boot Camp and others have participants generating enough heat to keep them warm for an hour!
The schedule will be posted on the SCHEDULES page of the Eugene Family YMCA website!
Join us!
Focus on Healthy Habits in the New Year!
A global pandemic has left some of us with undesirable health habits and a need for more motivation for fitness activities. We get it! Routines and schedules have been tossed aside as we try to keep up with changes due to COVID-19.
Your Y is here to help! Join us this January to focus on resetting your habits for a happier and healthier 2021!
Designed by your Y's Health and Wellness Director Kim Miller, this format will motivate you and hold you accountable to your own goals. Plus, it will be fun! Expect reminders on keeping your body healthy, workouts to improve your fitness and weekly e-mails to keep you on track.
Cost: $20 and you'll earn a T-shirt upon completion.
Register HERE to jumpstart your New Year!
Save Lives, Donate Blood Through Y and Bloodworks Northwest Partnership
In this season of giving, your Y encourages you to take an hour to give the best gift of all - a lifesaving pint of blood. It's so important now during the COVID-19 crisis that Gov. Brown declared Dec. 18 Oregon Blood Donor Day!
Your Y's partnership with Bloodworks Northwest means that Y members who donate any time between Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 23, are entered to win cool Y swag. Just schedule your appointment here. At your appointment, remind them that you are with the Eugene Family YMCA.
"We have seen red blood cell demand increase by over 8 percent, which is the equivalent of about 300 units each week," said Vicki Fenson, Executive Vice President of Blood Services. "Without our community's assistance, we are at risk of having major shortages as we head into the holidays."
Bloodworks Northwest is now testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Learn if you have the antibodies that are powerful in helping critically ill coronavirus patients when you give blood. Be a COVID-19 hero and schedule your one-hour appointment today.
Click HERE to find your nearest location and make an appointment.
Youth Development Leader Maritza Recognized Nationally
Your Y is thrilled to celebrate Maritza Ruiz as a 2021 National Afterschool Association's Next Generation of Afterschool Leader!
Maritza is a Multi-Site Coordinator and has worked at the Y since 2014. She was selected as one of 45 national noteworthy emerging leaders in the youth development field. There were more than 125 applications.
The National Afterschool Association recognizes individuals every year who are making contributions that have broad, long-term impacts on programs and organizations. These honorees possess passion for their work, and offer leadership for other afterschool providers to follow suit.
"Maritza shows up with optimism, hopefulness and a nurturing attitude every day," said Holly Kriz-Anderson, the Eugene YMCA's Vice President of Operations and Youth Development Director. "Her ability to mentor staff, youth, families and the Eugene community is continually inspiring."
The National Afterschool Association has committed to supporting Maritza's ongoing professional development because "our next generation of leaders are crucial to the sustainability, growth, and success of this important profession."
New YMCA Website Easier To Navigate, More Accessible
Your Y staff launches a new eugeneymca.org website this month that is easier for users to navigate and simpler for the Y team to update.
We invite you to explore the site and offer any feedback in our Webform in the footer called "Give Feedback."
We know that you may be familiar with our old site and how it functions, but know that we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate to a new format that is more accessible to all users. We promise that you will appreciate the results!
Two YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program Classes Begin in January
Take control of your health, starting in 2021 (and put 2020 behind you!)
Two YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program classes will start in January to help people with prediabetes reduce their risk factors in order to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
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Research shows that programs like the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program reduce the number of new cases of Type 2 Diabetes by 58 percent overall and 71 percent in people over 60.
"The goals are for each participant to reduce their body weight by 7 percent and become physically active for 150 minutes each week," says Coordinator Kate Kevern. "Participants form strong bonds in their small groups through encouragement and positive reinforcement, creating a supportive environment for continued success."
This lifestyle-change program meets weekly for the first four months, then every other week, then once a month during the last six months.
The classes are virtual, so you can see and talk with your coach and classmates on your laptop, tablet or phone. This eliminates typical obstacles, such as distance to the Y, finding child care, and simply leaving the house (and finding parking at the Y)!
The new classes begin in mid January, and participants need to complete an interview process with Coordinator Kate before orientation.
What: Virtual YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program: participants interact and receive support live, online in a group setting with a trained Lifestyle Coach.
Dates: First classes start in January. Classes run for a year.
Time: You can choose an afternoon or evening class.
Cost: $35.75 per month for 12 months. (Financial assistance available but insurance not accepted).
Keeping Our Little Free Pantry Stocked!
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When South Eugene High School sophomore Naomi Saenger proposed a Little Free Pantry at your Y, she did so knowing the Y community would embrace the project and make sure it remained stocked.
Despite having to close our doors on Nov. 18--- just two days after installing the pantry--- members have been bringing bags full of pantry goods to the Y to stock the 3 shelves of the Little Free Pantry.
"I walked over to add a few items to the pantry and I was so impressed," said a longtime Y member. "The little pantry was full and with so many healthy choices. As I found a place on the shelf, I thought how fortunate to be a part of such a positive and caring place."
Thank you to all of our members who have already donated and to those who plan to in the future! We know our strong, generous Y family will be providing food to the Little Free Pantry for years to come.
Read Your Health Plan: Y Membership May Be A Benefit!
Your Y expanded the health plan programs accepted for membership.
Programs we accept at this time include:
- Silver & Fit
- Renew Active through UnitedHealth Care
- Peerfit
- Active & Fit Experience
If your insurance pays for your Y membership, remember that you need to update your details at the Y's Welcome Center by Wednesday, Jan. 27.
For more information regarding insurance benefits,
e-mail [email protected]
Heard Around Town
Your Y's CEO Brian explains the critical need for long-term planned giving for nonprofits in The Register-Guard's latest (and last!) BlueChip magazine.
"As nonprofits have weathered the impacts of COVID-19, nearly each one has witnessed a decline in or an alteration to traditional revenue streams and resources. The profound volatility of this time has reinforced one of the primary benefits for nonprofits that have historically invested time and effort into developing robust planned giving tools: consistent and sustaining revenue support.
The year 2020 has reinforced one thing with perfect clarity--- no business can plan for every scenario. However, each nonprofit should anticipate volatility and take steps today to ensure stability for decades into the future. The most important tool to prepare for the reality of inevitable volatility in services is to develop a planned-giving strategy today." ............
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KLCC included your Y in an inspiring beautiful Giving Tuesday broadcast. We are honored to be part of such impactful organizations!
"GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. KLCC's Love Cross highlights non-profit organizations in our communities who have faced unique challenges this year with the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating wildfires that swept through Oregon in September." ............
The Register-Guard spotlighted the initiative of teenager Naomi Saenger and the beautiful artwork of Sophie Navarro Matchett in the creation of a Little Free Pantry in front of the Y.
"I know that the community at the Y is very strong," Saenger said, as she watched her idea come to life. "I really believe the community will be able to embrace this pantry and make it a vital resource for families in need." ............
KLCC explained the challenges faced by organizations during COVID (for the Y, it's been a 37 percent decline in membership) and related shutdowns. The reporting highlighted a silver lining, as articulated by Y CEO Brian Steffen:
"We've been pushed to figure out new ways to serve the community, new ways to build relationships and new collaborations and partnerships to form," Steffen said. "Overall, I believe it's helping us be a stronger organization because it's making us work harder and differently for years to come." ............
The Register-Guard included your Y in reporting about how Gov. Brown's 2-week 'freeze' affects organizations.
"The Eugene Family YMCA also will have to close its doors Wednesday. However, the organization has worked to provide classes and social get-togethers online over Zoom since the beginning of the pandemic. While in-person programs are canceled, local Y members can find fitness, meditation and even cooking classe
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The Better World Challenge podcast offers insight into the challenges for child care providers during COVID-19. Creator Justin Furtado interviewed your Y's Holly Kriz-Anderson, Kidsports' Bev Smith and Boys and Girls Club's Matt Sorensen.
"Youth Development is the unseen gem of the Y," said Y Youth Development Director Holly as she explained the difficulties of adapting child care during a global pandemic.
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Page 12 of November's issue of NW50Plus featured a story about your Y's own Enhance®Fitness classmates and their motivation to meet safely throughout the pandemic, which built solid friendships!
"COVID-19 impacted fitness routines for many people early this spring and summer. One group, wanting to keep their routines going, got creative. They not only found a way to preserve their routines, but they also ended up with a network of lasting friendships that changed their lives." ............
The Register-Guard covered a partnership built by United Way of Lane County for expanding the availability and affordability of child care for local families. United Way funds to local child care providers, including your Y, offset costs to expand to new facilities, improve technology resources, and provide additional staff to support academic and social-emotional needs of children as well as complete stringent sanitization procedures.
The need for these programs cannot be overstated.
"This is what I need," shared Sara McDonald, whose son is enrolled in your Y's Youth Development program. "I know every day that he went to his Zoom meeting and he turned in his homework. I can focus on family time because I am confident that he had a successful day." .............
Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Women in Business
ing it's 2020 virtual annual Celebration of Women: Holly Kriz-Anderson, VP of Operations and Youth Development Director, and Beth Casper, Marketing and Communications Manager.
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VP of Operations and Youth Development Director | |
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Marketing and Communications
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We want to extend congratulations to the other 29 women business leaders who all serve this community with passion, dedication and commitment to growth.
Holly and Beth, we are so proud of you! Thank you for serving our Y community!
To watch the 2020 virtual Celebration of Women and see recognition of Holly and Beth, click HERE. Y Facility Remains Closed In Response to COVID-19 Cases
Your Y remains closed in response to the spread of COVID-19 in Lane County, one of many counties in the Extreme Risk category. Our child care programs continue to operate as usual to provide essential services to working families.
When our county's risk level is lowered, we will open our facility under guidance from Oregon Health Authority and other public health officials. County COVID-19 statistics are reviewed every 2 weeks. Visit the Oregon Health Authority website for up-to-date information. Your Y promises to inform you when we can open again!
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In the meantime, we continue to urge residents to follow advice from the experts:
Inspired to give?
GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL HERE. Thank you for your support!
ENEWS 12/8/2020
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