Thursday, December 04, 2008
News
YMCA fights recession by holding the line on membership pricing
By GARY WEBSTER Argus-Press Education Editor
OWOSSO - Reflecting the ongoing economic recession affecting mid-Michigan and the rest of the nation, the Shiawassee Family YMCA is holding next year's fitness membership rates to 2008 pricing.
“Our community needs to stay healthy and we know that the (economic) stresses people face impact their health,” Dawn Reha, CEO of the Owosso-based YMCA, said after the board of directors voted Nov. 20 to hold the line on fitness membership rates.
“We all recognize the tough times we're experiencing right now and we want to make sure Shiawassee County men, women and children have a safe, affordable workout facility where they can go to stay physically fit,” Reha emphasized.
The YMCA, located at 515 W. Main St., also serves many from the Ovid-Elsie and Chesaning areas.
“Our YMCA is also a popular after-school gathering place for students, and we want to assure that continues,” Reha added.
“In really tough times - Great Depression, wars, recessions, whatever - the YMCA has been there for the community. That's the bottom line on why we're holding the line on fitness pricing. We realize these are indeed tough times.”
Per-year fitness memberships to the Shiawassee Family YMCA are priced at $64 (youth ages 3-14), $156 (high school/college) and $336 (adult). Also available are family fitness memberships for $402 (one adult) and $474 (two adults).
Program memberships for selected YMCA-sponsored activities such as soccer, basketball and exercise classes will see slight increases in 2009, from $15 to $20 for individuals and $25 to $30 for families.
Camp Shiawassee costs will remain firm at this year's pricing.
A United Way agency, the Shiawassee Family YMCA serves after-school programs in Morrice and Owosso, HIP Kids (Health Intervention Program) for overweight or obese children through parent-child intervention, and scholarships to Camp Shiawassee for Perry youth with United Way funding.
“Last year, we gave out approximately $70,000 including about $2,000 from United Way in scholarships for program memberships and Camp Shiawassee,” Reha related. “Scholarship help is available to those qualifying from throughout Shiawassee County.”
Reha said the fluctuating Shiawassee Family YMCA membership - fitness and program - currently stands at 4,833.
“Our annual Strong Kids Campaign fundraiser starts in January and runs through March,” Reha said. “The community has really been great in supporting the YMCA so we can help others.” Next year's Strong Kids Campaign has a goal of $68,000.
The Shiawassee Family YMCA Board of Directors includes Ann M. Bentley, chairperson; Ron Baker, Building and Grounds Committee chair; Bob Allen, Camp Shiawassee chair; Michael Moore, Finance Committee chair; Bill Graham, treasurer; Dawn M. Reha, secretary; and members at-large Dr. Fred VanAlstine, Charlie Green, Bill Gilbert, Hugh Parker, Dale Espich, Steven Sobak, Jim McAvoy, Lynn Bowne, Greg Gray, Cheryl Peterson, Tony Young, Kristi Stambersky and Lori Sherman; Karl Manke and Edward Joy will become board members effective Jan. 20, 2009; Bruce Cook and Vaughn are Emeritus members.
“We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities” is the YMCA slogan.
“Our community needs to stay healthy and we know that the (economic) stresses people face impact their health,” Dawn Reha, CEO of the Owosso-based YMCA, said after the board of directors voted Nov. 20 to hold the line on fitness membership rates.
“We all recognize the tough times we're experiencing right now and we want to make sure Shiawassee County men, women and children have a safe, affordable workout facility where they can go to stay physically fit,” Reha emphasized.
The YMCA, located at 515 W. Main St., also serves many from the Ovid-Elsie and Chesaning areas.
“Our YMCA is also a popular after-school gathering place for students, and we want to assure that continues,” Reha added.
“In really tough times - Great Depression, wars, recessions, whatever - the YMCA has been there for the community. That's the bottom line on why we're holding the line on fitness pricing. We realize these are indeed tough times.”
Per-year fitness memberships to the Shiawassee Family YMCA are priced at $64 (youth ages 3-14), $156 (high school/college) and $336 (adult). Also available are family fitness memberships for $402 (one adult) and $474 (two adults).
Program memberships for selected YMCA-sponsored activities such as soccer, basketball and exercise classes will see slight increases in 2009, from $15 to $20 for individuals and $25 to $30 for families.
Camp Shiawassee costs will remain firm at this year's pricing.
A United Way agency, the Shiawassee Family YMCA serves after-school programs in Morrice and Owosso, HIP Kids (Health Intervention Program) for overweight or obese children through parent-child intervention, and scholarships to Camp Shiawassee for Perry youth with United Way funding.
“Last year, we gave out approximately $70,000 including about $2,000 from United Way in scholarships for program memberships and Camp Shiawassee,” Reha related. “Scholarship help is available to those qualifying from throughout Shiawassee County.”
Reha said the fluctuating Shiawassee Family YMCA membership - fitness and program - currently stands at 4,833.
“Our annual Strong Kids Campaign fundraiser starts in January and runs through March,” Reha said. “The community has really been great in supporting the YMCA so we can help others.” Next year's Strong Kids Campaign has a goal of $68,000.
The Shiawassee Family YMCA Board of Directors includes Ann M. Bentley, chairperson; Ron Baker, Building and Grounds Committee chair; Bob Allen, Camp Shiawassee chair; Michael Moore, Finance Committee chair; Bill Graham, treasurer; Dawn M. Reha, secretary; and members at-large Dr. Fred VanAlstine, Charlie Green, Bill Gilbert, Hugh Parker, Dale Espich, Steven Sobak, Jim McAvoy, Lynn Bowne, Greg Gray, Cheryl Peterson, Tony Young, Kristi Stambersky and Lori Sherman; Karl Manke and Edward Joy will become board members effective Jan. 20, 2009; Bruce Cook and Vaughn are Emeritus members.
“We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities” is the YMCA slogan.