Our Locations
From the CEO
Summer at the Y
16th June 2011
PPG Has a Green Thumb
In the summer of 2010, past PPG Plant Manager Tim Mathis was at a YMCA meeting when a community garden was discussed. Together, he and YMCA CEO, Cameron Corder, plotted a strategy for a garden at the PPG plant. When Mathis was transferred up to Pittsburgh, the new PPG leader, Greg McInnis, kept the dream alive.
With the support of the local 4H and Cooperative Extension, PPG is able to provide support to the Children’s Home and also the Cleveland County Potato project. McInnis noted, “Our vision is to reach out to more children and families across our county.”
Corder noted, “It has been inspiring to see the PPG employees out working this garden. Funny how our partnership with PPG has been about helping employees be healthier and in the end we work together to improve the health of our community.”
And the idea is spreading…………Thanks to Drew Rogers’ Eagle Project, the Dover YMCA has 4 small vegetable beds. The tomatoes plants were donated by Emily Yelton’s late mother Lucy Bryant. The staff has started affectionately calling the garden “Lucy’s Garden.”
The Ruby Hunt has also planted a garden and even has the Farmer’s Market coming to the branch once a week.
Everyone should have access to fresh vegetables. Make sure you share your extra produce!
Swim Time is Fun Time, but Don’t Forget Safety First!
The last week of schools brought on the hundreds of school groups that like to celebrate a successful school year with games and swimming at the YMCA. And now that school is officially out for the summer, the pools at Ruby, Kings Mountain and Dover YMCAs are filled with kids and families.
YMCA Lifeguards are some of the best trained guards in the community. We spend a tremendous amount of time in not just procedural training but in actual risk management and accident prevention.
Safety at the pool is JOB ONE, and to ensure safety, everyone must be focused on safety, not just the lifeguards. Make sure when you are at the pool that you listen to and support the lifeguards, report any unsafe activity, and watch for all kids and not just your own!
Did you know that the YMCA has a vision of “Drown Proofing” every child in the county? Can you help us make that a reality?
Summer Better than Others!
For hundreds of kids, summer camp at the Y will be the best part of their break from school. And for many teenagers, the Y is just a safe place for them to connect with friends and make new friends. In fact, the Y branches often feel like they become the “Town’s Baby Sitter.”
Kids breath energy into the buildings. Sure they make our hallways dirtier, noisier, and more crowded. 70 Years ago Martin Luther King was just another kid at the Y. Do you see the potential in the kids or do you just see inconvenience? Your smile and your encouragement may just be the random act of kindness that some young person needs. Nurture the greatness and potential in all kids!
LiveStrong at the YMCA
The Cleveland County Family YMCA is part of a consortium of YMCAs that have partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to offer LiveStrong at the YMCA.
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a twelve-week, small group program designed for adult cancer survivors. This program fulfills the important need of supporting the increasing number of cancer survivors who find themselves in the transitional period between completing their cancer treatment and the shift to feeling physically and emotionally strong enough to attempt to return to their normal life or their “new normal”. The program is conducted outside of medical facilities to emphasize that LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is about health, not disease.
Our goal is to help participants build muscle mass and muscle strength, increase flexibility and endurance and improve functional ability. Additional goals include reducing the severity of therapy side effects, preventing unwanted weight changes and improving energy levels and self esteem. A final goal of the program is to assist participants in developing their own physical fitness program so they can continue to practice a healthy lifestyle, not only as part of their recovery, but as a way of life. In addition to the physical benefits, the program provides participants a supportive environment and a feeling of community with their fellow survivors, YMCA staff and members.
YMCA fitness instructors work with each participant to fit the program to their individual needs. The instructors are trained in the elements of cancer, post rehab exercise and supportive cancer care.
Let us know if you or a friend would be a candidate for this program!
Meet Our Newest Faces!
Meet Taffy Allen
Wellness Director at the Kings Mountain YMCA
Born in Banner Elk, NC
Graduate of Greensboro College
Husband is Stephen and they have two daughters, Mallory and Katie
She loves the TV show Glee and Italian Food
Meet Crystal Johnson
Executive Director at the Girls Club YMCA
Born in Columbia, SC
Graduate of NC State and Forestview High School
She was in the Power Sound of the South Marching Band while at NC State
She loves the TV show America’s Funniest Videos and makes a mean macaroni and cheese
YMCA Recognizes Cleveland County Healthcare System
Recently, the YMCA recognized Cleveland County Healthcare System with the 2011 Servant Leadership Award. In 2008, the YMCA created the Servant Leadership Award to recognize those entities that support the Y and model the value of Servant Leadership. Past recipients have been PPG, First National Bank and the Dover Foundation.
The Cleveland County Healthcare System is involved with many critical issues facing our community. 13 years ago, the YMCA and the hospital formed a partnership that has been modeled by Y’s and hospital across the country. Tens of Thousands of lives have been impacted through healthier lifestyles because of the Y and the hospital’s unique partnership. The hospital is also a partner in helping the Y deliver impactful programs at the Girls Club YMCA and Black Achievers. Their partnership and support has been a cornerstone to the Y’s success. Their presence in our mission will impact so many more lives in the future.
Sheri DeShazo was present from the hospital to accept the award at this year’s annual Prayer Breakfast.
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