12735 Gran Bay Parkway West, Suite 250 Jacksonville, FL 32258 | FirstCoastYMCA.org

YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST

Summer 2015

THANK YOU TOOUR SPONSORS:

The 2015 First Coast Games corporate wellness program is well underway with a record 36 teams and nearly 3,000 participants taking part across the First Coast. New to the FCG “field” are teams from Adecco, CORR Digital, CTI Resource Management, Inc., Ernst & Young, Interline Brands, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Medtronic, Morgan & Morgan and Rogers Towers, P.A. The ultimate goal of the program is for the Y to support the participants as they have fun, strengthen relationships amongst their colleagues, work toward a more healthy lifestyle and provide opportunities to volunteer in our community.

This year, teams have the opportunity to enjoy some friendly competition in events like Flag Football, Soccer, Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Bowling, Camp Day at the YMCA’s Camp Immokalee and our Virtual Healthy Living Challenge.

TAKING TEAMWORK OUTSIDE THE OFFICEFirst Coast Games

I absolutely love the great team-building experience that comes from FCG. Our office is filled with many different functions that rarely cross paths. It’s so nice to get to know different people from the office I may not have had the opportunity to work with.”

-Sarah McNamara, GE Capital Team Captain

The Games harness the strengths of fitness and sporting events, generating an entirely new way for businesses and individuals to interact and flourish – by emphasizing personal development and underscoring friendly competition.”

-Paul Vranesh, Stellar Team Captain

We are all enjoying playing sports and working toward a healthier lifestyle together!”

-Katie Byrd, Adecco Team Captain

VyStar Credit Union • JP Morgan Chase Bank • ALDI, Inc. • Stein Mart • Jacksonville Bank bestbet Jacksonville • The Bailey Group • Roderick Crabbe Insurance Agency

Companies across Jacksonville participate in a four-month athletic competition featuring sports like soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee and more.

Kids benefit year-round from Y programs, but never is it more critical than the summer months when kids are at greatest risk of falling behind.

Studies show that by fifth grade, children in low-income households are two to three years behind in reading compared to kids in middle-income families. This is why our Day Camp includes an academic focus in the arts and humanities, science and technology as well as Camp Readers, devoting at least 30 minutes a day to reading activities. The Y is committed to helping kids “hop the gap” this summer and to provide the opportunity for youth to discover their full potential.

But summertime isn’t just for kids. Adults and families will get together at the Y to connect with each other and the community. They’ll not only make healthy living a priority, they’ll also give back in so many ways.

We are so appreciative of our volunteers. They truly lead our organization. Special thanks to Ron Coleman for his service in paving the way for our newly created Branch Council, which is made up of volunteers from our local branch advisory boards. Justin Terry has stepped forward to lead in 2016. By joining together across the First Coast, volunteers make our Y stronger and enable us to respond to each neighborhood’s specific needs.

If you’re interested in volunteering and engaging in the community, please contact your local branch leader or any member of our Y team. Together, we can make real impact.

In Unity,

AFTER PARTEE SPONSORSCompass Consulting Group • PRI

Productions • Precor • THE PLAYERS • W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc.

• Winicki Law Firm, P.A. • Pactiv

OTHER AFTER PARTEE PARTNERSJoy Purdy, News Anchor WJXT Channel

4 • United States Navy • North Florida Sales • Coca-Cola • Tropical

Smoothie • Anthony’s Gourmet Catering • Black Hog Farms • Black

Sheep Restaurant • Restaurant Orsay • What’s the Catch Food Truck •

Fusion Food Truck

Thank you Gator Bowl Sports Charities for your partnership of Healthy Kids Day and sponsoring the Healthy Kids

Passport Program!

A MESSAGE FROM CEO, ERIC MANN

REVIVING INTEREST IN THE GREAT OURDOORSThe Y joined the U.S. Department of the Interior along with city and community leaders to announce that Jacksonville has been selected as one of the first 50 cities to participate in a youth initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and inspire millions of young adults to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors. Peggy O’Dell, National Park Service Deputy Director, Eric Mann, president and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, and Mayor Alvin Brown held a press conference on June 17.

“Engaging volunteers of all ages in caring for parks and public lands in Jacksonville not only leverages public resources, it builds pride and a connection to these special places that stays with people forever,” said Peggy O’Dell, National Park Service Deputy Director.

The initiative, funded through a $5 million national commitment by the American Express Foundation, will provide two years of funding for the First Coast YMCA to help coordinate efforts, facilitate collaboration, grow resources, and increase participation in outdoor programs.

PLAY LEARNSERVE & WORK

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

PRESIDENT’SCORNER

Community leaders, volunteers and kids from our Summer Day Camp program came together to do a service project in Henry J. Klutho Park at the Jacksonville launch for Play Learn Serve and Work.

PROGRESS UPDATE

BUILDINGWINSTON Y

Thank you for all you’ve done, whether it’s give, volunteer or both. Your support means the Y’s vital youth development, healthy living and social responsibility mission work will continue to help kids, individuals and families in need across the First Coast.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINSWith our financing secured, we began construction on the new Winston Y on Riverside Avenue in mid-May. We expect a 15-month build and look forward to opening the new facility in the late summer of 2016. Many generous donors have made this possible and we are extremely grateful for the support of the community. There will be an opportunity for all members and friends of the Y to get involved through an exciting community recognition campaign this fall, so stay tuned!

ANNUALCAMPAIGN

INSIDE THE TRIANGLE DINNERPlease mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 6, 2015 for our annual Inside the Triangle Dinner to appreciate our Chairman’s Round Table donors. This year’s event will take place

at the Terrace Suites at EverBank Field and feature a program of our community impact during the past year. You don’t want to miss this memorable evening! A formal invitation will follow.

First Coast Games Closing CeremonyI Heart ArtBack to School BashClay County Golf TournamentInside the Triangle DinnerJosh Watkins Tennis Tournament

AUGUST 1

AUGUST 1

AUGUST 15

SEPTEMBER 25

OCTOBER 6

NOVEMBER 13-15

And more events to come!

SAVE THE DATE

$1.6 M$1,336,027 RAISED TO DATE

$263,973 TO GOAL OF

JUMP IN WITH KNOWLEDGE

YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST12735 Gran Bay Parkway West, Suite 250Jacksonville, FL 32258

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SAFETY AROUND WATERDrowning is the second leading cause of death for kids ages 5 to 14 years — but it doesn’t have to be. Drowning is preventable and teaching kids drowning prevention is a top priority at the Y. It starts with free swim testing, which is being offered at all Y locations with a pool. Gauging children’s abilities in the water is the first step so instructors can meet them where they are regardless of skill level.

Safety Around Water is a tested and piloted program designed to reach children at risk of drowning and teach them swimming and water safety skills. The program launched April 1 of this year with more phases launching throughout the year.

This is the Y’s second year partnering with the City of Jacksonville and Waterproof Jax to teach children in their own neighborhoods the importance of water safety. With additional funding from the National Y and charitable contributions from the community, this summer, close to 1,000 kids on the First Coast will receive this life-saving experience free of charge. With the help of these partnerships and generous donors, children all across Jacksonville can enjoy a fun-filled and worry-free summer, and their parents can rest assured that their family is safe in and around the water!

Every child in Y summer camp who does not pass the swim test will receive Safety Around Water training during camp hours to ensure they are getting the proper education in a relaxed environment.