Fundraising Copy
From YMCA Heartbeat, a newsletter for YMCA contributors
And the beat goes on . . .
In sports . . . Eight-year-old Alex loves to play sports. And without a dad at home to teach and encourage him, he formed a special bond with each of his Frankfort YMCA coaches, who serve as strong male role models. So far, Alex's love for the Y's new flag football program surpasses that of any other sport he's played. Sports Director Kevin Haury cites his amusement at a call received from Alex's mom on a Sunday afternoon that was threatening rain. Reporting Alex's refusal to believe football practice had been canceled, she asked if Kevin would help convince him. Kevin did and next day—the first of spring break—he watched as Alex arrived bright and early for the all-day After School Program dressed out in his full football uniform.
In aquatics . . . At an age when most American kids have been swimming for years, ten-year-old Shahe is struggling to adjust to putting his face in the water. From a desert country of the Middle East, Shahe is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water in a pool. He must face his fear twice each week as a participant in the Polliwog swim class at the Frankfort Y. Fear of water is not the only obstacle Shahe must conquer to learn to swim. A new immigrant to this country, he knows little English, which makes it even harder to place himself in the care of a swimming instructor. But at the Frankfort Y, we specialize in building strong kids, and today, Shahe's smiles express his growing delight in the wonders of a swimming pool and his newfound ability to float.
In childcare . . . You'd never know it today, but five-year-old Tess had her first open-heart surgery when she was just four months old and a second one at two and a half. The poking, prodding and endless tests she endured took a heavy toll on her young spirit. By age three, Tess was terrified to leave her mother's side. That’s when she began coming to the Frankfort Y with her mom, who wanted her to have an opportunity to interact with other children while learning to swim. Today—to her family's amazement—Tess is on the swim team, plays league soccer and has just attended her second session of Summer Day Camp. To her mom's joy, Tess has developed the trust and self-confidence necessary to start kindergarten in the fall. But most important is her development of the strength and resilience needed to undergo the last two heart surgeries awaiting her. All this is thanks to the Frankfort YMCA, where we build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
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