NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA - FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER

OUR VOICE

NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA 11336 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91326

February 2015 www.ymcala.org/nv

A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

The Y. So Much More.

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2015 Annual Support Campaign We have an extraordinary opportunity to ensure a brighter future for our community, but we must take action today. Only your support will make that possible. When you give to the North Valley Family YMCA, your gift will help young people achieve their potential, empower people of all ages to lead healthier lives, and strengthen the bonds of community in North Valley. Together, we’ll take on many of the greatest challenges facing our young people, our health and our community.

Now, when you think of our Y, you’ll know it’s more than just a gym... it’s a cause. A cause that, with your generous support, will continue to strengthen the community in which you live.

GO TO: www.ymcala.org/nvgive TO GIVE TODAY.

“We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

-Winston Churchill

OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

INSIGHT

By John Sinnema ,

Chair of North Valley Family YMCA’s Board of Managers

SPRING BREAK DAY CAMP Y-Spy Training Camp: March 30-April 3

It’s time to become a Y-Spy this Spring Break!

Join us as we learn the science behind being a spy!

Everything fromproper fingerprinting procedures to techniques for tailgating a suspect! Learn now so you can help to track down Dr. Wicked when he tried to ruin Captain Character’s plans for the summer!

Contact Nicole Sneep for details: NicoleSneep@ymcala.org | 818 709 5489

It’s a new year at the Y, and this time is so special for us, because we launch our Community Support Campaign. Through the campaign, we raise awareness within our community about all the Y has to offer, and receive donations to provide scholarships and underwrite essential programs.

The theme is “THEY Y. SO MUCH MORE.” and if you’ve been involved at our Y, you know that it’s more than just a place to work out. It’s a place for families and friends, and the entire community, to come together; and the campaign allows us to tell our Y stories throughout the community and invite others to become a part of the good things happening here.

Each year, I am amazed at the number of dedicated people from our community who go out of their way to raise money for the Y. Proceeds from the campaign allow families to live healthier lives and kids to learn team work, gain self confidence and leadership development.

We all have different reasons for loving the Y. Consider making your own gift so that you may help others participate in these programs that they might not otherwise be able.

And don’t forget those New Year’s resolutions you’ve made! It’s time to come to the Y and get that Healthy Lifestyle you want. Here, you’ll get the guidance, support and friendship you need with classes and custom designed programs made just for you!

Take that first step and feel good about how you and the Y can be so much more.

AMERICAN HEART MONTH Healthy Family Night, Feb. 28, 6:30pm

February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. Join us as we partner with the American Heart Association, to bring more awareness and educate our community on heart health, throughout the month.

A Healthy Family Night will culminate the events on Saturday, February 28, where adults and youth will participate in fun, interactive and educational activities.

DANCE FROM THE HEART The Family Ball: Feb. 6, 6:30-9:30pm

Give your loved ones a memory they will always cherish! Bring your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to our Family Ball!

Enjoy an evening of dancing, dinner, dessert, raffles a family photograph and more!

Cost: $25/couple (adult&child), $10/each additional person For more information, contact Lauren Szendrei at LaurenSzendrei@ymcala.org | 818 2715082

OUR MISSION | The North Valley Family YMCA puts Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

growing strong TOGETHER Y Business Leaders: Feb. 20, 7:30am Presents Presents Sean Wright, VP Information Security at Universal Music (and Y Member): Cyber Security for You and Your Business The Y Business Leaders is a group who meets monthly to grow personally and professionally and advance the YMCA through volunteer and financial support. Co-chaired by Dave Friedman and Thuy Trifunovic, the YBL meetings feature interesting and informative speakers at its 4th Friday breakfast meetings, held at the Porter Valley Country Club.

You are invited to join us on February 20, 7:30 a.m. to hear Sean Wright present important and eye-opening information regarding security of your technology and privacy!

your gift MATTERS

2015 Annual Support Campaign

Supporting each oTHER a Campaign Story At a recent volunteer training session for the upcoming Annual Support Campaign, a grateful Mom had the group in tears as she shared the importance of the YMCA to her family and her son. “When my son was in 6th grade he had a bad experience with bullying at his school.

The Y was so helpful and supportive and gave him tools and confidence to make it through a hard time. He even wrote a poem, Why I Love the Y”, she said through her tears.

The Y is so much more than a place to work-out or take classes. The North Valley YMCA strengthens kids, teens, adults, seniors and the community. Our programs in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility touch thousands of people in the north San Fernando Valley each year.

Your generous donation to the Y’s Annual Support Campaign in February-March will assure we are able to do so much more in 2015 and beyond. For more information on the campaign or to volunteer, please contact any of the Y Program Directors or Holly Rasey, Director of Development, 818-271-5059, hollyrasey@ymcala.org

Be a part of the annual fundraising campaign and see how your gift can change lives. www.ymcala.org/nvgive

$1,500

gives three teens the opportunity to learn to lead in our nationally acclaimed Youth & Government program

$1,000

helps a child in your community succeed, developmentally and academically through our child care program

$750

makes it possible for three campers to learn to canoe and make lifelong friends at summer camp

$500

enables a family of five to become active and stay healthy all year

$100

helps kids build skills, confidence and character in one season of Youth sports

The Y. So Much More.

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OUR MISSION | The North Valley Family YMCA puts Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

A PASS TO HEALTHY LIVING

No matter what fitness level you are (beginner, intermediate or advanced), we have the programs for you!

Download a 7-Day Guest Pass today (www.ymcala.org/nv), and experience programs at our Y that can kick start or help you continue your healthy living habits!

FEBRUARY CALENDAR • Family Ball: February 6th, 6:30-9:30pm Give your loved ones a memory they will always hang on to! Bring your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to our Family Ball! Enjoy an evening of dancing, dinner, dessert, raffles a family photograph and more! Cost: $25/couple (adult&child), $10/each additional person • Summit Seekers Hike: Saturday, February 21st, 2015, 9am Join us at Solstice Canyon in Malibu for a 4-mile, moderate hike.

All the hikes are free and open to the community and geared for beginner/intermediate hikers. Children are welcome to attend as long as an adult accompanies them. As always, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. See you on the trail! Contact Jody Guerrero for details: JodyGuerrero@ymcala.org • Parents’ Night Out: February 21st, 6-9:30pm Parents, want a night out? Bring the kids to the YMCA for fun, games, sports, arts and crafts, snacks and swimming (ages 8 and up) while you enjoy time to yourself! Register at the Welcome Center. Only $12 per child or $20 for the family.

• Spring Sports League: Ages 3-17 Here, success is measured by how hard you try and how well you play together. Teamwork = fun. Registration opens in March for youth basketball, soccer and volleyball. Games start in April. Call Daniel Zadokov for details at ext 2307.

CREATE YOUR LEGACY WITH THE Y Each year, you participate in or hear about Y programs that were made possible in part by deferred gifts of the Y’s devoted supporters. Here are three simple ways which will help ensure that the Y’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility will continue to guide future generations:

• Consider including our Y in your Will or Trust • Simply add our Y as the beneficiary of your IRA, retirement plan or life insurance policy • Establish a charitable gift annuity and you will receive payments for life

For more information contact Holly Rasey, Director of Development at 818.271.5059 or HollyRasey@ymcala.org – don’t wait – call today!

• Musical Theater” Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka: March 7, Noon & 2pm Come see the hit Musical Production of Willy Wonka come to life by the YMCA Musical Theater & Drama classes. Filled with all your favorite songs from the movie as well as some new ones, enjoyseeing Oompa Loompas, Wonka, Charlie Bucket and more!

Tickets are $10 per person • Family Camp: March 20 - 22 Camp Whittle, just two miles from Big Bear Lake. is gauranteed fun for the family. Activities include archery, arts & crafts, ropes course, petting zoo, hiking, sports and a campfire. Each room sleeps four with a private bath. Four meals are included. Cost: $135 for ages 5 and older; $35 for ages 3 & 4 • Aquarium of the Pacific Overnight: March 30 - 31 Ages 7 - 12, come join the Y at the Aquarium of the Pacific for an overnight adventure with hands-on activities, games, crafts and observing marine animals with the Aquarium staff. The fee includes admission to the Aquarium, activities, dinner, breakfast, transportation and staff supervision and a sleepover t-shirt.

Cost: $125

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