The Third Thursday

Tom's Pic Dear Friends,

Congratulations to all involved in this year's Annual Campaign. To date, $1,557,183 has been donated to help Y programs reach the most vulnerable kids and families in our community. Seven Y branches have met or exceeded their branch giving goals for 2015 including the Downtown Y, The Family Y at Big Bend Road, The First Tee of Tampa Bay, North Brandon Y, South Tampa Y, Plant City Y and the Association Office. My congratulations and thanks to the volunteer and staff leadership at these branches for a job well done! Several additional branches are within reach of making their goal…let’s get it done!

Two branches deserve extra special recognition…The First Tee for exceeding their 2015 goal by $59,861 and North Brandon for achieving their campaign goal three weeks ahead of the deadline. Great work, all!

After nearly 127 years serving the Tampa Bay area, the Y understands what our community needs to be its best. Your gift will build a better us by ensuring the Y provides everyone the opportunity to thrive, be healthy, connect with others, and contribute to a better community. At the Tampa Y, 100% of each generous contribution goes toward fulfilling our Vision 2020 priorities like:

1. Helping kids succeed in school through programs that close the academic achievement gap between low and middle/upper income youth.

2. Improving the health of our community with a commitment to prevent obesity and associated chronic diseases.

3. Developing teens by engaging them in activities promoting positive behavior, responsible leadership and lifelong health.

4. Teaching water safety and swim skills to kids and families to prevent senseless drowning cases.

To support the Tampa YMCA and our cause, please visit www.tampaymca.org or you can contact Director of Mission Advancement Amber Carpenter at amber.carpenter@tampaymca.org or 813-224-9622 est. 1241. Through your kindness and concern, you can help build a better us.

See you at the Y,

Tom Looby
President & CEO
813.224.9622

A Great Place to Grow

Hillsborough County, Tampa YMCA and local Chambers of Commerce leadership cutting the ribbon at the Oct. 12 dedication ceremony.

After a successful inaugural summer camp season, phase one of The Family Y at Big Bend Road was dedicated on October 12th. Nearly 150 guests came together to dedicate the outdoor amenities of The Family Y at Big Bend Road in Gibsonton. Special dignitaries were in attendance including Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandra Murman and Ken Hagan.

Learning a New Sport

Y Success Afterschool kids competing against Tampa Bay Lightning players in street hockey.

How would you like to spend your afternoon playing with some professional athletes? The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity became a reality for nearly 130 Y Success Afterschool kids last month. The Tampa Bay Lightning invited the Tampa Y to be a part of its big announcement to invest more than $6 million to grow the game of hockey in Tampa Bay. The goal of the "Build the Thunder" campaign is to reach more than 100,000 local kids through school and community outreach programs.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at the Y

Outdoor conditioning areas, like this one at the New Tampa Y, are very popular among Y members.

If you’re stuck in a workout rut, step outside with the Y. Several of our branches have new outdoor conditioning areas for high-intensity workouts. The non-traditional exercise routines involve ropes, tires, jumps and weights. Through strength training, suspension training, boot camps and obstacle courses, the outdoor areas provide continued opportunities for community members to get active, fight the obesity epidemic and improve their overall health.

Run for a Cause

As in years past, the Tampa Y’s Goody Goody™ Turkey Gobble 5K starts at 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. As you get your family plans together for the big feast, we invite you to consider starting the holiday with the Tampa YMCA’s Goody Goody™ Turkey Gobble 5K. All ages and ability levels are welcome to join us Thursday, November 26th for a fun 5K or one mile walk/run in downtown Tampa.

“Goody Goody is the title sponsor because I believe in the Y and in fitness,” says Richard Gonzmart, fourth generation co-owner and president of the Columbia Restaurant Group, which owns and will operate the restaurant. “And the course is close to our location in Hyde Park Village, where we’ll open in early 2016.”

All Abilities Welcome

Bottom L to R: Divyesh Jain, Lindsey Danner; Top L to R: Steven Blackshear, Kathy Pilczuk, Alex Rivera

Adaptive members from the New Tampa Family YMCA are also training for a Thanksgiving 5K. Last year, six disabled members participated in the Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot and this year, the goal is for ten adaptive members to join the race.

Divyesh Jain isn’t letting his autism stop him for completing the chip-timed 5K again this year. "I could not believe he finished the whole race without slowing down since it was his first community 5K. The whole family was there cheering him on," said Divyesh's mother, Reema. “I look forward to starting his training this year and his participation in his second community 5K."

Did you know the Bob Sierra Family YMCA has been strengthening the Northdale/Carrollwood community for 30 years?

To celebrate this milestone, you are invited to the SIERRAFEST on Friday, November 13th at the Bob Sierra Youth and Family Center on 4015 Ragg Road. From 7–10 p.m., guests will enjoy dining delights, music, raffles, fun and games with friends all while supporting the Bob Sierra Y youth development programs.

$50 includes unlimited drinks, eats and games. For more information, contact Kelly.Hodges@tampaymca.org or 813.962.3220. See you there and thanks for your support!