Dear YMCA Community,

Thank you for all the positive messages of support and encouragement over these last few weeks. We are grateful to have such a strong Y family – supporting each other and our YMCA. We have all done the best we can to navigate the almost daily changes with Covid-19. Given all the uncertainty and the stress that comes with these challenges, it has never been more critical to stay together, even as we follow the guidelines from officials to keep each other and our community healthy. Based on continued recommendations from the CDC, state and local health officials and area health departments, we must extend our temporary suspension of all YMCA facility access and programs.

At the Y, everything we do is guided by our commitment to nurture the potential of children, support your health and well-being, and provide support for our neighbors, participants and members. We’re so much more than a gym. And here, at the Y, you’re much more than just a facility member. At our YMCA, you’re a part of our purpose and you’re a partner in strengthening the foundations of our community.

The Y has been a leader in Franklin County for over 20 years, teaching thousands of children to swim, providing care for thousands more children during after school hours, and providing life changing opportunities for seniors and families in our area. The positive impact of these programs serves to strengthen our county, both now and for generations to come.

As a member of our Y community, I’d ask you to consider what you should be doing during this time, and what it means to be a part of our YMCA. The Y has had to adapt and make difficult decisions like many non-profits during the last few weeks. The choice to shut down operations, though the socially responsible and right thing to do, was a difficult one. Especially for an organization that works every day to bring the community together. It is going to present many challenges in the meantime and when we reopen. But by standing together, those challenges can and will be met.

Stay with Us – Your YMCA Membership Choice
As one YMCA Community, we ask that you stay with us. Your membership helps support our efforts and ensures our Y remains strong and poised to meet the critical needs in our community during this unprecedented time. In the past week, we’ve partnered with organizations to do emergency blood drives, provide advocacy for other non-profits, working with local health care agencies, creating and providing virtual exercise and activities to keep families engaged.

Keep your membership active. Keeping your membership active will help ensure we remain fully focused on our efforts to support our community and adjust quickly when called upon. If you choose to keep your membership active, please know how grateful we are for your willingness and partnership. You don’t need to take any action to retain this status.
Convert your membership to a donation. If you wish to have your membership dues converted to an ongoing, tax-deductible donation during our temporary suspension of facility access and programs, please email us to setup the donation. You’ll continue to be drafted monthly and when we resume normal operations, your donation will end. At that time, we’ll convert you back to regular membership. Again, we are deeply grateful for your willingness and partnership.
If you wish to place your membership on hold during our temporary suspension of services, we understand. Reach out to our membership team to put your membership on hold.

We realize you have to make the best decision for you and your family. On behalf of everyone in the community counting on our Y in the weeks ahead, thank you for your strong consideration to stay with us. Our community needs you.

There is much more work ahead for our Y. Moving forward, we’ll share updates and additional resources with you as well as keep you informed on our efforts to support our community.

As our Y responds to Franklin County’s needs during this unprecedented time, we stand ready to face the challenges. It is with hope and gratitude we continue in service to our community. It is inspiring what we can accomplish when we all come together.

Stay well. Stay Healthy.