October_2015_Newsletter_Pages (1)

OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • www.orymca.org • Fall 2015
Roy Blunt YMCA of Bolivar • Ozark Mountain Family YMCA • G. Pearson Ward • Monett Area
YMCA • Pat Jones YMCA • Cassville YMCA • Dallas Co. Area YMCA • Lebanon Family YMCA
School Age Services • Camp Wakonda
WHERE COMMUNITY
COMES TOGETHER
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
OF CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S KIDS
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
By Mary Kromrey
“Prime Time” was the vision on Katy Adams
and the Springfield Family YMCA Board of
Directors under the leadership of Presidents
Hank Westbrooke (1985) and Ed Powell
(1986). This program was officially launched
on September 3, 1985, as the local response
to a growing need in our community. More
single parents and two-career families meant
more “latchkey kids,” children who were unsupervised
from time they got out of school
until their parents came home. The Program
opened in four schools in Springfield in the
fall of 1985 with start-up funds and scholarships
from the Junior League of Springfield.
In the 1985-1886 School Year we served 40
kids in four locations. Holland Elementary
has been a site since day one!
Through the years we have enjoyed working
with our surrounding communities to help
them start Before and/or After School Programs.
Today we serve 3,000 youth each
school day in our Before & After School Programs
that encompasses ten School Districts
with service to 46 elementary and middle
schools across southwest Missouri.
Moving forward the Y will continue to: 1.
increase efforts to combat childhood hunger
through our snack and meal programs
during both the summer and the school year,
2. to work with our schools, families, and
principals so that our kids can be successful
regardless of their socio-economic background,
3. work with our partnering school
districts to ensure that our kids have the
best summer ever.

2 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
TOGETHER
WE CAN CREATE A BETTER US
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
By Sue Robinson
As the winter holidays approach, most of us
are happily anticipating the festivities ahead.
We make plans to spend time with family and
friends, we send cards and exchange gifts,
and we share in the warm and joyful feelings
that pervades the holiday season as the spirit
of giving sweeps across our community. This
year as you wrap your gifts and count your
many blessings, we hope you add the Ozarks
Regional YMCA to your gift-giving list by
making a year-end donation.
When you give to the Y, you continue to
strengthen our community and move us all
forward. As the nation’s leading nonprofit
organization for youth development, healthy
living, and social responsibility, the Y uses
your gift to make
a meaningful, enduring
impact
right here in our
own backyard.
Your support
helps the Y deliver
on our commitment:
• To nurture the
potential of youth
through building
confidence at
camp, academic
enrichment in safe
after school programs,
or foundational
skills and
values in our child
care programs.
• To improve our community’s health and
well-being through combating obesity and
chronic disease by providing the support
and resources people need to make positive
change.
• To give back and support our neighbors by
empowering people with the resources to
improve their lives and connect and contribute
to the community through opportunities
such as Healthy Kids Day, Splash Day (a community-wide
educational event on drowning
prevention) and increasing access to locally
grown produce and fruits to area children.
• To offer programs and services to children,
adults and families who need financial assistance.
The generosity of others is at the core of our
existence. It is only through the support of
our members, volunteers, public and private
donors that we are able to give back to the
communities we serve. Our strength comes
from your support. Give a gift today and help
us make a difference in your community.
From all of us at the Ozarks Regional YMCA,
our sincerest thanks and best wishes for a
happy and meaningful holiday season.
NO TRICKS
JUST TREATS
Boo Bash 2015
Visit orymca.org for details on your local Y’s Boo Bash event!

3 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
LAURA LANE
HEALTHY LIVING
By Janice Stokes
Laura Lane has been a member of the
Ward Downtown Y since July 2015. As
a single mom raising a five month old
baby, working out at the Y has become
a big part of Laura’s life in the last few
months. Laura loves doing the TRX class
with our Y instructor, Jill Kleier. She has
taken the BODYPUMP ® classes, yoga,
and water fitness classes and is looking
forward to doing GRIT ® . Laura says that
when she is doing the classes she doesn’t
feel judged. She is “accepted for giving it
my best and working really hard.”
When Laura is not at the Y, she is a
substitute teacher with Springfield Public
Schools and volunteers in the kid zone at
James River church. We would like to welcome
Laura and all of our recent members
into our Y family! Thank you!
NIGHT
FOR THE Y
PRESENTED BY
GIVING
BACK
TO THE
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
By Gordon Brown
During the hot weather of July, cousins Eli, Silas,
Owen, and Sam Garrett decided to make
a lemonade stand at their grandparents Mike
and Phyllis Garrett's home in Monett.
After a hard day's work, they proudly donated
$70 that they had earned to the Monett
Area YMCA's Annual Campaign.
These funds will be used to help individuals
and families who otherwise couldn't afford
to take part in YMCA membership and programs.
Great job kids!
Sat, October 17, 7pm
Farmers Park Pavilion
Tickets: $150 per person Sponsors: $1800+ per table
Entertainment provided by DJ C.E.O
Open Bar & Casino Games
Email Reba Bristow at rbristow@orymca.org for sponsorship
opportunities for your business or group of friends
All proceeds benefit the Y Financial Assistance Program.
Pictured from left to right:
Eli, Silas, Owen, Gordon, Sam

4 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
CAMP WAKONDA
SO MUCH MORE THAN AN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
By Steve Maynard
Camp is probably the place where many of
us learn innumerable lessons about life and
humanity - the separate setting from daily
routines provides an opportunity to shed the
expectations of others and be free to truly be
ourselves, living above imposed limitations,
discovering more about ourselves and blossoming
into who we were meant to be.
Perhaps it’s because of the break from the
craziness of their regular routine that gives
kids the mental room they need to consider
some of the most important issues of life like
their future or any unhealthy behavior patterns.
Perhaps it’s the friendships with caring
adults and other campers, forged through
shared experiences and the compressed time
at camp, that provides a connection that
helps young people navigate the challenges
of life.
Whatever it is, there’s no doubt that going to
camp can be a life-changing experience; both
for a child and their parent, as this recent
email to our camp so eloquently describes:
“Good morning Steve,
I know you are beginning a new round of
campers as of yesterday, but I felt I would be
remiss if I did not take the time to email you
and let you know how Cassady feels about
camp and what she has had to
say in the past couple of days.
After we picked Cassady up Saturday
and was heading home,
she was so excited and overflowing
with energy. Her favorite
word about camp was “amazing”.
Everything was amazing - you,
the campers, the counselors,
the activities, nature, the whole
experience. I tried to count the
number of times she said it, but
finally gave up. Secondly, she
wanted to stay the entire month!
My husband and I were somewhat
worried that she wouldn’t
enjoy camp because she was so
nervous leading up to the drop off date and
even that morning but our worries were quite
unfounded. If we had the resources, we would
have gladly arranged more weeks at camp. To
that note, I want to thank you so much for
the financial aid scholarship program. By the
time we purchased the items she needed for
camp, we dipped in to alternative resources
to make it all happen. So, if it weren’t for your
board and their efforts in raising the funds
to offset the financial aid dollars, Cassady
would not have been able to attend camp and
be impacted the way she was.
In addition, she now strives to be a counselor
at camp herself someday. She spoke with
Hayden before she left and he explained
the process to her. She is more than ready
for two more years of camp, two years as a
counselor-in-training, and then off to being
a counselor. She has even decided to fore go
attending college out of state and attending
MSU so that she can be a counselor during
the summers.

5 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
After we arrived home Saturday, Cass retreated
to her room and spent the entire
weekend in quiet reflection. I thought she
was tired or cranky so I took her to get ice
cream and encouraged her to speak with me
about what is going on and what is wrong.
Turns out, nothing is wrong. Camp impacted
her on such a deep and spiritual level that
she is really focusing on her priorities, perspectives,
and organizing her thought processes
and values. Cass has always been an
emotionally deep child, and a very good child
to boot, but this has changed her. This experience,
the beauty of all you and your counselors
do; was shining through my little girl.
She felt free, loved, liked for who she truly
is. She loved that no one was bullied or rude
or put-down. She loved that she could be
herself and no one told her to calm down or
chill out. She appreciated no one picking on
her for being short. She expressed how her
friends and school mates are so caught up
in name brands and who has the newest or
largest cell phone and how competitive they
are and how much drama goes on. She wishes
her entire school could go to camp so that
they could see and learn what she now sees
and knows-that there is so much more to
life. That childhood is fleeting and adulthood
lasts so much longer. That being a kid really
is okay and there is no hurry to grow up.
That the newest and greatest phone means
nothing, and those dollars spent on that
could go towards a charity. That you should
never put anyone down or chastise them for
being themselves. These are all things she expressed
to me. She made great friends in her
cabin and felt like she was truly herself and
that she was liked for the real person she is at
heart. She is now reflecting on her friends and
relationships and changes that she wants or
needs to make. She feels stronger as a person
and able to advocate not just for herself, but
for others. She feels strong in her ability to be
a leader and to not let it upset her so much
when people do not agree with her. She loved
communing with nature and wasn’t afraid of
any of it and expressed that she feels she
spends too much time on the phone or watching
TV and she wants to get out more and
hike and walk and fish. She knows now that
she can draw healthier boundaries and not
stay up to the wee hours of the morning listening
and advising her friends on their latest
drama-that it really is okay to shut the phone
off and get some rest (we’ve been working on
boundaries the past several months)-but now
attending camp has given her that inner grit
and strength that I, as her mom, could not do.
She said she didn’t even miss her phone once
the whole time she was at camp. That is a
feat in and of itself!
I’ve carried on and my words do not begin to
do justice to all that Cassady shared and how
camp has impacted her. Thank you, again”.
What a beautiful email and one that speaks
so well to what I was alluding to earlier—that
lessons we learned at camp when we were
children still resonate with kids today: to accept
others as they are, to pitch in and do
your part, to work as a team, that it is perfectly
acceptable to act a little bit silly sometimes,
to take time for daily reflection, to
laugh often, and that it’s not material things
that make you beautiful but rather the joy
from being who you are…just to name a few.
As I read this mother’s email, I couldn’t help
but think how Camp Wakonda had made
Cassady come alive and discover a passion
within herself that she didn’t know existed
before. It brought to mind a quote by Howard
Thurman – “Don’t ask yourself what the
world needs. Ask yourself what makes you
come alive and then go do that. Because
what the world needs is people who have
come alive.”
Sounds like great advice. I wonder if Howard
Thurman went to camp?
YOU CAN HELP KIDS
LIKE CASSADY
REAP THE BENEFITS OF A
CAMP WAKONDA
EXPERIENCE BY MAKING A
DONATION TO THE OZARKS
REGIONAL YMCA.
Please send your check
or money order to:
Ozarks Regional YMCA,
417 S. Jefferson,
Springfield, MO 65806
or visit our website
www.orymca.org
and select “give” under the
“social responsibility” tab

6 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
A HEALTHY CHANGE
HEALTHY LIVING
By Katie Tonarely
Member Thomas Rainey recently claimed the
title of 2015 Missouri State NPC Champion.
This physique competition allows competitors
to show off their skills in body building
or physique. Rainey explains that a huge part
of his motivation in going from overweight to
physique competitor was to just be healthy.
What made you decide to change your life?
“What made me want to change was seeing
my mother battle cancer. All she wanted was
to feel healthy again, and here I was taking
advantage of my health. There was a moment
that I looked inside and I told myself
that I was no longer going to look like this. I
made a promise to myself and asked God for
strength.”
Why physique competition?
“I always had a passion for lifting, and once I
heard about the sport I became fascinated by
it. It mentally and physically made me stronger
as a person. It also
provided me with knowledge
about what types of
foods to eat and how they
benefited my body.”
How has the Y contributed
to your goals?
“I've been going to the
YMCA since 8th grade. I
really enjoy the environment
and the people God
has allowed me to cross
paths with. I love the fact
there two locations in
Springfield and friendly
staff that keep the weight
room clean.”
What would you say to those who are nervous
about starting a journey to health?
“I used to be 280 pounds, so I know that
stepping into a gym for the first time can be
scary. If you're blessed with your health, take
advantage of it. It won't happen overnight,
and there going to be days where you feel like
quitting, but those are the days you have to
remind yourself why you started. Don't let the
scale determine your happiness. Take weekly
progress pictures and go off how you look
and feel.”
BUILDING A TEAM
TO BE GREAT
B
E
elieve in what we do
xcellent attitude
Social Responsibility
By Kathryn Colglazier
On the evening of August 29th our Pat Jones,
Ward and Ozark Mountain YMCAs came together
to kick off our “BE GREAT” membership
engagement initiative. With over 140
staff attending we launch our new attitude
towards engagement with members. “BE
GREAT” stands for Believing in what we do,
Excellent attitudes, Greet everyone, Remember
names, Energetic, Ask open ended
questions and Thank everyone. The evening
was filled with games, activities and learning
opportunities to make sure that we have the
greatest team for our members and guest
when they come into our YMCA. At the end of
the evening all staff signed a pledge to represent
BE GREAT each and every day when they
are at work so together we may strengthen
our Y and strengthen our communities.
Not only did the staff enjoy learning how to
better engage and connect with our members
and guest it was also a great opportunity for
them to meet and visit with like staff from
other family centers. Staff walked away knowing how
important their role is in making a stronger YMCA for
our communities. The evening was filled with questions,
answers, laughter and of course a little dancing
to help celebrate the great work that our staff does
each and every day to make our members and our
communities stronger and more connected.
G
R
E
A
T
reet everyone
emember names
nergetic
sk open ended questions
hank everyone

7 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
THANK YOU
TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP
By Becca Bucy
One of our Springfield based partnerships is
with Gold Mountain Communication. I visited
Gold Mountain Communication for the first
time in November 2014. A rapidly growing
local business in the travel industry, Gold
Mountain’s work site environment shocked
me. I walked through a room of 150+ cubicles,
every seat filled with smiling faces and energetic
chatter. Two guys high five each other
across a desk inches from my head as I walk
by and I see someone dancing, clapping and
cheering a group of 20 or more at the back
of the room. I walk through 2 more rooms,
equally full, equally energetic, with just as
many smiling faces before I settle at a table
in the break room to start wellness orientations.
As I set up my laptop, employees come
up to me left and right asking if I have everything
I need and thank me for coming by.
How does a company create such a positive
environment for 500 employees? I decided to
ask Amy Temple, Project Coordinator for Gold
Mountain Communication.
“It is a leadership team effort. The business
owner, administrative staff and floor supervisors
at Gold Mountain are committed to
offering a positive work environment.” Amy
said. “I love coming to work every day, and I
want my staff to feel the same.” Her job focus
is connections. She partners with local
businesses to bring resources to her employ-
ees, and she also helps them connect to local
causes. “With 500 employees we have a
huge opportunity to impact our community.
Getting them engaged and connected to each
other for a local cause not only benefits the
community but it creates such a positive atmosphere
here at Gold Mountain.” Amy said.
When I asked her why they chose the Y as
a community partner she said “the Y is the
whole package.” The Y has something to offer
everyone. By partnering with the Y we are not
only investing in our employees but we are
investing in the health and well being of their
families.”
During employee orientations Amy presents
new hires with information about how they
can get involved. She uses the Y as an example
of how the company is committed to
building and fostering strong connections for
their employees. Employees can sign up for
a membership right at their desk, or stop by
Amy’s office to pick up a day pass to try out
a class for free on their way home from work.
Amy poses above with the winner of the
Spring Weight Loss Challenge. This challenge
was a huge effort on her part to raise awareness
for total health and well being. She collaborated
with the Y and other community
partners to provide staff with wellness resources
and she cheered them on every step
of the way with weekly fitness tips and team
updates.
Weight loss wasn’t the only theme for connections
during the first half of 2015. In May,
Gold Mountain supported March of Dimes
and Amy has lead volunteer efforts to raise
awareness and funds for local non profit organizations
including the Community Blood
Center of the Ozarks, American Cancer Society
and the National Alzheimer’s Association.
Partners like Gold Mountain Communications
are crucial for the Y to continue to create
a positive impact in our community. We are
grateful for their support and encourage other
employers to reach out and discover what
they can achieve for their staff if they have
the support of a community committed to
health and well being.
BODYPUMP ® and GRIT ®
FOR THE CURE
visit orymca.org
for more details

8 • OZARKS REGIONAL YMCA • FALL 2015
FACES
OF THE Y