I hope your summer is going well and we will all begin to dry out a little. This month I just wanted to give you a few tidbits of info and give you updates on projects we have going on.

Our Summer Food Program sponsored by the Atlantic Schools and the YMCA has been going wonderfully. On average, about 110 kids per day enjoy a hot meal at lunch and an afternoon snack here at the YMCA. The wonderful staff from the school, numerous volunteers, and the YMCA staff coordinate the meals each day which are catered by Hy-Vee. The lunches and snacks are free to all students 18 and younger. If you would like your child to be a part of these meals just give us a call at 243-3934 to put your child's name on our list, that's all there is to it.

The Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center opened on Monday June 28^th. We are excited about this new addition to the services that the YMCA can provide to the Nishna Valley. We have a number of kids registered and more arriving daily but there is still room if you are looking for childcare, either full or part time. Dianna Williams and the new staff at the center would love to show you around and let your children check out this wonderful new addition to the Atlantic community. The YMCA will also be offering a class of Jack and Jill Preschool at the new center as well. This is an excellent way for families to get childcare and Jack and Jill Preschool all under one roof with no transportation issues. There are limited spaces available for preschool so if you have not signed up please contact Leslie Haynes at 243-3934 ASAP. If you missed the tours and the open house for the new center please stop by and get a tour. We would love to show you around. As of this writing the playground is not complete due to rain issues but we hope that within the month we will have it completed as well. In the near future we hope to have a ribbon cutting and show off the entire building with the completed playground. Watch for details to come. The YMCA is also in need of a few items which are on a wishing well inside the lobby of the center. If you can help with an item from the well just take it off and bring in the item or talk with Dianna if you need assistance. We are also in need of some volunteers who would like to work a few hours per week at the center. There are several things that could be done such as answering phones and questions at the front desk, watering flowers and sod, delivering food to the rooms, and many others. If you would like to volunteer in any of these positions and be a part of a wonderful service to the community just give me or Dianna Williams a call and we would love to match you to a service that would be fulfilling to you and beneficial to the children.

I would like to thank all those companies and individuals who have contributed to our YMCA Partnership With Youth Campaign. We are ahead of last year's pace for the campaign, but have not reached our $80,000 goal. If you would like to contribute to the children and families of our community and help insure that scholarship funds are  available to all those in need, please give me or Michelle Heath a call right away at  243-3934. We would love to match your contribution to a child or family who is in need of YMCA services.

 Don't forget that the YMCA and/or certain parts will be closed during parts of the month due to yearly maintenance and floor refinishing. See other parts of this letter for those specific dates.

Thanks and have a wonderful month,

 Dan