Northern Neck YMCA's Annual Maintenance Closing

Every year in August the Northern Neck Family YMCA closes for a few days to attend to extensive housekeeping duties.  This year the Main Facility and Aquatic Center will be closed Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30.
 
Remember you are more than welcome to visit other YMCA's during our closure, such as the Middlesex Family YMCA and the Richmond County Family YMCA.  

Twitter with the Northern Neck YMCA

We are now using Twitter to get urgent messages out to our members quickly. When you choose to "Follow Us" you'll receive YMCA alerts as a text message and/or email to your phone or computer - ultimately saving you time, effort and gasoline.
 
Imagine that your child plays YMCA soccer and you have a game this afternoon.  The Program Director discovers the soccer field is flooded and it is necessary to postpone this afternoon's game. The YMCA will "tweet" a message that shows up on their branch web page AND is immediately sent to your phone and/or computer as a text message or email.  So now you know that you should not drive to the game today.
 
This Twitter account will only be used to generate urgent messages about delays, closings and changes in programming. 
 
Click on the link below to join us now - it's FREE and requires no personal information except your name and email address or phone number.

Win One of Three Fabulous Vacations!

Would you like to take a chance on a fabulous vacation AND help disadvantaged children in our area?  The winner of the YMCA's vacation drawing will have a choice of three amazing vacation packages:

• Hawaii!  4 nights at the Westin Maui or Westin Waikiki for two, including airfare.
  
• Cruise!  Cruise for two to Alaska or the Caribbean for a week on Carnival ships, including airfare.
  
• Orlando!  Take the kids or grandkids to Orlando to the Nickelodeon Family Suites for 4 nights, including breakfast and airfare for four.

The tickets are only $20!  How about cruising to Alaska for $20? 

Whether your ticket is chosen or not, you will be a winner in supporting children and families who need assistance in our community to participate in Y activities.  ALL the profit from the drawing will go to the Northern Neck Y's Guardian Program.
 
Please give yourself a chance to win a great trip, and give local children and families a chance of a better life!  Now more than ever in these economically difficult times, we need your help.  The drawing will be held at the Festival of the Trees on December 6, 2009.  Winners will have a year to redeem their trip.  Must be 21 or over.
 
For more information, e-mail Susan Johnson at sjohnson@peninsulaymca.org.

Fall Football                                          

• Flag Football 
  Ages 5-7 
  Cost: Members $30.00
  Program Participants $50.00
  
• Pee Wee Full Contact Football
  Ages 8-10
  Cost: Members $50.00
  Program Participants $75.00
  Weight limit:  130 lbs
  
• Junior Varsity Full Contact Football
  Ages 11-13
  Cost: Members $50.00
  Program Participants $75.00
  Weight limit:  155 lbs

Practice begins the week of August 3rd at 5:00 pm at the Lively Ruritan Center, Lively, VA.  For more information, contact Mark Favazza at mfavazza@peninsulaymca.org. 

Coffee House   

A steaming mix of live music was once again served at the Northern Neck Y's "Coffee House" on July 10.  This seasonal event, which takes place at the Lancaster Players Playhouse, features an eclectic group of local musicians who volunteer their time and talent to raise money for the Guardian Program.
 
Musicians at the July Coffee House included "Ed Oliver & the Honeywind Bluegrass Boys," Paul Rilee, Jerry Brockman, Skip Ackerly, Jack France, Colleen Burke and Latasha Lee.  Several people got up for open mic, including local folk entertainer, Roger Himler.
 
The event was organized by volunteer Ben Estes, who also served as MC that evening.  NetCruisers once again generously donated the coffee.
 
For more information on the next Coffee House, including performance, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please contact Susan Johnson at sjohnson@peninsulaymca.org.

Jammin' in the Gym

"The Party of the Year"
 
Our guests were raving about the incredible decorations, the fabulous food, and the awesome band.  We are raving about all the kids and families in our community who will benefit from the $55,000 raised at this annual fundraiser to benefit the Guardian Program. 
 
Isn't it amazing how one event can affect the lives of so many?
 
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GUESTS, SPONSORS, AUCTION DONORS, AND VOLUNTEERS WHO MADE THIS INCREDIBLE EVENT POSSIBLE.  WE COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
 
Photos courtesy of Yours Truly Photography
 
To view or purchase more photos, please visit www.yourstrulyphotography.com.  10% of all sales will be donated to the Northern Neck Family YMCA Guardian Program.  In addition, all photos can also be made into tiles for our wall collage at the Y.  Please contact Donna McGrath at dmcgrath@peninsulaymca.org for more information.