The Lebanon Valley Family YMCA kicked off it’s 2012 Capital Campaign and unveiling plans for a three million dollar renovation. Additionally, the YMCA announced the major benefactors who have already committed to the project.

Freeer Family Youth Center Renovation Rendering

The three million dollar renovation is designed primarily to allow for the Y’s Youth Center to be located at the main facility on 7th Street. The youth center, which serves over 80 local youth a day, has been temporarily running out of the old train depot on 8th Street in Lebanon since it opened in October 2011.

While redesigning the building to accommodate the youth center, the fitness center, currently located on the second floor at the back of the building, will be moved to a newly built glass fronted second floor where Gym A is currently located, facing out to the main parking area. The main entrance of the building including a new lobby will be completely rebuilt. Additional rooms for family and other member programming will open up as many administrative offices will relocate to the 8th Street train depot. Once the youth center is relocated to the main facility, plans are for full time child care center to be created at the 7th Street train depot.

Team leaders at the Lebanon Y are excited about what these changes will mean to membership in their areas:

“Many of our local youth are excited to feel a part of our YMCA!” Ryan Van Houten, Youth Center Director.

“The changes that will take place in our YMCA will give Childcare more opportunities to provide a positive learning environment for children. ” Amy Pennycoff, Childcare Services Director

“For us in the wellness center it will bring a whole new fresh look, more space and a renewed enthusiasm to working out.” Mark Hubbard, Wellness Director

The original Lebanon Valley Family YMCA started modestly in 1898 – where a small group of men gathered who were interested in building a better community.

Since its inception, the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA has been a respected non-profit institution, serving the entire community as a source of health and wellness, recreation, enrichment, after school programs and numerous other services for children and teens.

November 14 through January 9

The Lebanon Valley Family YMCA is proud to offer Lebanon County couples a chance to lose weight and get in shape in our team-based, 9 week program. Couples are spouses, friends, or family members. Individuals signed up were assigned a partner by the Y.

Here are the Benefits!

• 9 week comprehensive outline to lose weight the healthy way.
• 2 large group exercise classes each week
• A stylish Mission: Melt Away T-Shirt.
• Weekly meetings, weigh-ins, guest speakers and/or special events
• Non-members receive a punch card for up to 8 additional visits to the YMCA.
• $600 to the couple who loses the highest percentage of body weight.

Mission Status Updates:

November 15, 2011
Mission:  Melt Away [Couples Edition] (MMA CE) commenced on the 15th with over 60 new recruits committed to living a healthier lifestyle. Recruits were briefed on the format of the 9 week program and met with personal trainers to review the materials on weight loss and exercise.  Then MMA CE recruits fell in on the gym floor for 30 minutes of Zumba to get started on their path to weight loss. MMA CE recruits will next meet at the YMCA at the VA for an exercise session on Wednesday, November 16th.

November 22, 2011
Stepping off the pounds. Mission: Melt Away [Couples Edition](MMA CE) met Monday night and learned more about eating a healthy diet from Karen Bachman, Registered Dietician, Certified Diabetes Educator and Diabetes Education Coordinator for Good Samaritan Health Systems. Upon completion of the educational aspect MMA CE recruits assemble on the gym floor where they performed P.T. (Physical Training) led by Karen Brown, Group Exercise Instructor. Keep focused, keep consistent, keep active and you will accomplish your Mission: Melt Away.

December 6, 2011
Mission: Melt Away continued their rigorous training learning about the external cues of eating and how to substitute positive behaviors. After their intense psychological training MMA CE recruits gathered on the gym floor for Martial Arts Training (Tai Chi) which addresses spirit, mind and body.

The new Youth Center is a BIG hit! Participation has exceeded expectations and local 7th, 8th, and 9th graders are glad to have a place to hang out after school.

Check out this news clip from WGAL Chanel 8:
http://www.wgal.com/video/29598667/detail.html

The Youth Center is currently located at the Old Railroad depot adjacent to the Y on 8th street.  The Youth center is for 7th, 8th and 9th graders and it is FREE.

The Lebanon Y is opening a NEW Community Youth Center Monday, October 3rd. Ribbon cutting at 4:00 pm!

The Youth Center will be located at the Old Railroad depot adjacent to the Y on 8th street.  The Youth center is for 7th, 8th and 9th graders and it is FREE.

All 7th, 8th and 9th graders are eligible to enter a drawing for a free iPod on opening day!

A Non-Profit Fundraising Event with ALL Proceeds Benefiting the Good Samaritan Health System and the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA.

Date and Location
Saturday, November 19, 2011

Race begins at the 8th Street entrance to the Lebanon Farmers Market (33 South 8th Street)

Time
Race begins at 8:00 a.m.

Course
The run will begin on the Eighth Street side of the Lebanon Farmer’s Market and proceed south onto the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail.  The race will conclude at Lebanon High School.

Entry Fee
The entry fee for the event is $20.  Registration Fee After 11/17 is $25. Fee includes a long sleeve shirt. Click here to download your registration form.

Prizes
Over 144 awards will be given!  Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each race and the top finishers in different age categories.  Dress to impress and win the best dressed award.

Prizes will be awarded immediately following the race including:

• Overall winner 5K and 10K (male and female)
• Age Groups by Gender 5K and 10K (10 and under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 40-44, 45-59, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, 70+)
• Best Dressed

Sponsored By:
SoftRock 100.1 WQIC
Lebanon Daily News
1270 WLBR

To become a sponsor, click here for the sponsorship form. (PDF)

Helping Both Causes that are Dear to Our Hearts
You’re invited to our African Themed

See how you can be a part of helping children in Lebanon and Africa enjoy a better life!

Join us for an evening of African artistic dancers and music on the beautiful grounds of two of Lebanon City’s historic mansion estates. Owners Kaj Skov and Gary & Cindy Matthew welcome you to enjoy cocktails and Hors D’ouevres served in lush garden surroundings. Brasenhill and Stone House mansions (Corner of Walnut Street and South First Avenue)

Date: Friday, August 26, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Brasenhill & Stone House (Corner of Walnut Street and South First Avenue)

Cost: $75 per person/$120 per couple

For Reservations and Information call 717-273-2691

Proceeds benefit the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA Campaign for Kids and the African non-profit 4-More (www.4-more.org). Contributions are tax deductible.

Event is open to the public.

We are proud to announce the merger of two local competitive swimming teams. Falcon Swim Club and the Lebanon YMCA are joining forces to create the “Falcon Swim Club of the Lebanon YMCA”. As a truly equal effort, representatives from both of the previous teams will now make up our coaching staff. With such a diverse and well-rounded coaching staff, this program will have something to offer youth from all around the Lebanon Area. With an anticipated larger team size, competition will be available to athletes during practice sessions throughout the season. Also, because this program is supported by Cornwall-Lebanon School District, we are able to utilize Cedar Crest High School and Lebanon YMCA.

During the summer season, our team will compete in the Mid Penn Swim League. Summer season lasts from April-July. During the winter season, we will compete in the Central Penn Aquatic League. Winter season begins in September and goes through April. FSC- LEBY is also a USA Swimming registered club, meaning that swimmers who choose to seek out further competition will be accompanied by our coaching staff to USA Swimming meets around the region. Our top swimmers have a chance to represent Lebanon YMCA at District, State and National competitions.

Phil Tipton, CEO, and Darin Pickles, Director of Operations, dressed up to pay off their bet to Y staff.

As part of the annual YMCA Campaign for Kids, Y staff along with many individuals and companies throughout Lebanon County contribute so that no family will ever be turned away from Y membership or programs due to the inability to pay.

“Usually our staff raises about $8,000. for our campaign” says Phil Tipton, “but this year we wanted to really challenge them.” So some of the staff came up with a plan. They talked both Phil and Darin into “dressing up,” if the staff would reach a giving goal of $10,000. Phil was challenged to wear pink hair and Darin…well, he has no hair.  To get even more staff involvement, Phil promised to shave his legs if they reached $11,000!

Not only did the Y staff raise enough money to put Darin and Phil in a dress, but Phil’s legs are looking a little different these days. All together the Y staff raised over $11,900.

Last year the Y gave away over $230,000 in assistance to families in our community for childcare, youth program and memberships to the Y. The Y is able to do this due to their own Campaign for Kids and also the help of our local United Way of Lebanon County.

“We still are trying to reach our goal” states Darin Pickles. This year Y goal is to raise $170,000. To date the Y has raised a little over $100,000.

If you would like to donate to the Y’s Campaign for Kids,
visit our Contribution Page.

The Y is the nation’s leading non-profit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Lebanon Valley Family YMCA health and well-being programs provide individuals of all ages and families regardless of makeup, with continuous supportive relationships and environments that engage, involve and support health in spirit, mind and body.

In 2010, YMCA health and well-being programs provided over 9,800 individuals of all ages with continuous supportive relationships and environments that engaged, involved and supported health in spirit, mind and body. Read more about our involvement in the community, and goals for the coming years, in our Community Impact Report: Growing Stronger Together.

The Leadership at the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA would like to honor those individuals who demonstrate consistent effort in impacting our community in each of these three areas of focus; Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

Congratulations to our Inaugural Y – Area of Focus – Volunteer of the Year Recipients.

For Youth Development – Rigoberto Ramos

Mr. Ramos is an individual with passion. He is passionate about making a difference with our Youth. Moving to Ephrata from Brooklyn, New York, Rigoberto makes an impact on Lebanon youth on a daily basis. He is a Youth Advocate with the Youth Advocate Program of Lebanon County, working as a mentor to at-risk youth.

Rigoberto founded and manages the Hope-Espiranza Youth T-ball program to give children a positive channel for their energy as well as learn the fundamentals of baseball. One of the hallmarks of the Hope-Espiranza League is that a parent’s involvement is mandatory. This helps build the family bond. Mr. Ramos does more that Youth Advocate and Baseball to serve our youth. On any giving day you may see Mr. Ramos working with one of his youth at the YMCA but additionally see him coordinate a basketball game with his youth and youth members of the YMCA. Many times you will see a group of teens around Mr. Ramos as he discusses topical events while giving life advice to both his clients and others.

Mr. Ramos not only goes over the bar when talking Youth Development, he set’s the bar on how we all can relate and be a positive roll model for today youth.

Healthy Living – Dr. Jay Darrell

Nearly four years ago Dr. Jay Darrell had a vision. He wanted to create an event that would highlight the community we live in and at the same time encourage individuals to become healthier. His vision quickly became reality when he brought a group of individuals together from Good Samaritan Health System and the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA and created the Give Thanks for Lebanon 5k/10 K Run. The event has grown each year surpassing the 325 runner mark in 2010.

Dr. Darrell is an advocate of healthy living. As a Thoracic Surgeon for the Good Samaritan Hospital, he witnesses on a daily basis the negative impact of living a sedentary life. Jay is called upon often to talk to local groups about heart health.Through his dedication to our community he has helped hundreds of people learn the benefits of staying active.

Social Responsibility – Tom Gerhart

For the past 14 years our Tom Gehart has been working to raise awareness and funds to help families in our community. In 1996 Tom started his own Relay for Life team with his mother who was battling cancer. They named the original team the Bulldogs after his favorite dog.

Twelve years ago Tom came up with a new idea and started his annual sports auction. Raising thousands of dollars to fight cancer. Over the past three years he has been doing it with the help of the Hershey-Palmyra Sertoma Club. The club asked Tom to continue to organize the event as a fund raiser but would help. Tom agreed if the club would give 1/3 to his Relay team, 1/3 to the Hershey Med. Center’s Kids Christmas Party (with their families), and 1/3 to a local family affected by cancer.

Tom is also involved in the CLA, the Falcon Foundation, and he is the all-time coach for his daughter’s sports teams. He runs the Lady Falcons Youth Basketball League and coaches his daughters Ebenezer-Union Canal U12 soccer team.