Another Great Week at the YMCA

April 9th 2007
Volume 1, Issue 2

Easter brings families together

More than 500 kids celebrated Easter by attending the Southwest Valley Regional YMCA egg hunt this past Saturday. Kids made their own baskets, played with the Easter bunny and shared a great day with their family. Other branches also hosted Easter events throughout the week.

Easter is a great holiday, as it is traditionally celebrated with family. The YMCA is dedicated to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities, so Easter is a YMCA favorite.

Our own employees were able to spend the day with their families as many of our branches were closed or opened for a short while.

The YMCA offers year-round opportunities for families to spend quality time together and keep the fun and sharing going all year.

Put Play in Your Day--2007 Healthy Kids Day is on Saturday!

Valley YMCAs will join more than 1,500 YMCAs across the country as we celebrate Healthy Kids Day this coming Saturday, April 14th.

An opportunity for kids and families to “Put Play in Your Day,” the YMCAs Healthy Kids Day is the nation’s largest initiative designed to help children and families discover and sustain healthier activities and habits.

Keeping children healhy in spirit, mind, and body is important. This annual events helps kids and families realize that physical activity can be fun and rewarding. Many games and fun activities will be held throughout the Valley.

Each branch has planned a day of activities for all ages. Branch events and times vary, but may include a 5K, Family Fun Run, Run/Swim Duathlon, water safety demonstrations, sports team sign-up for summer, summer camp information, games, face painting, police and fire demonstrations, bounce houses, climbing walls, and so much more.

For more information on Healthy Kids Day events at Valley branches, link to our Healthy Kids Day Release.

Strongs Kids Campaign is Wrapping Up

The Strong Kids Campaign is wrapping up this month. Strong Kids is a financial assistance program that gives assistance to kids and families who otherwise could not afford YMCA programs such as child care, swimming lessons, youth sports, and other programs and services.

More than 7,000 kids and families received assistance last year.

This year, the YMCA hopes to raise $2.6 million.

The Scottsdale/Paradise Valley YMCA raised $193,000, exceeding its goal of $190,000. "This will allow us to give kids the access to great programs at the YMCA," said Jeff Masters who headed up the Scottsdale branch campaign. He is pictured at the right with his wife, Mary. They attended a luau to celebrate the successful campaign to help hundreds of kids and familiies.

To make a gift, go our our donation site.

The Valley of the Sun YMCA has launched this E-newsletter to keep you informed about 
YMCA news, programs accomplishments, and upcoming events.  If you would prefer not 
to receive the YMCA E-Newsletter, please contact Norma Salas at njsalas@vosymca.org, or (602) 257-5135.