News & Events from the South County Family YMCA

This year's PARTNERS WITH YOUTH campaign theme is "Change From Every Dollar", and our goal is to raise $50,000 to benefit our YMCA Children and Family Scholarship Fund and provide new programs and services for people of all ages in Englewood and Venice, regardless of their ability to pay.

In the past year, our YMCA provided $518,129 in financial assistance to more than 1300 people for YMCA programs such as preschool and school-age childcare, youth sports, summer camps, swim lessons, gymnastics, and more. We partnered with more than 60 schools, churches, and local organizations, and provided the use of our facilities to many of these groups at no charge. The YMCA is here to serve our community.

During this holiday season, we're asking every YMCA member to please make a contribution. Particularly this year, in these difficult economic times, the needs of local children and families is greater than ever. Your donation of any size makes a tremendous difference, so please, when members of our YMCA staff or volunteers ask, please give. We thank you for your kindness and generosity, and for embodying the YMCA core values of respect, responsibility, caring, faith, and honesty. With your support, there will be "Change From Every Dollar".

Please click here to download YMCA 2008 Annual Campaign brochure

VENICE : 2007 Girls On The Run 5K Race Re-Cap

The Venetian 5K was a great success with 123 participants for this year's event. The new route, which took runners on a shell trail at the start and end of the race and on the Venetian Waterway path for the rest of the run, was beautiful and well received! Even though it was a chilly start to the race, participants enjoyed great weather; great food and all received long sleeved t-shirts.

This year we added a twist to the race by using the venue to promote and benefit our local Girls on the Run program which has served thirty nine, 3rd through 5th grade girls in Venice and Englewood so far this year. The Girls on the Run program uses the power of running to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Their 12 week program also pre-pared them to run a 5K! The Venetian 5K was a celebration of their accomplishments. As proud parents and family members stood by or supported the girls by running with them, there were loud cheers as each girl crossed the finish line and large smiles on each of their faces! As one girls said, "I feel like if I can do this-I can do anything!"

Click here for race results!

VENICE: December Wellness Updates

New! Group Circuit Training-Circuit Express! Do you need more accountability and to have someone push you beyond what you would normally do on your own?, Then this class is for you!
New Yoga Seminar! Restore and Renew! Saturday, December 8th, from 10:30 am to 12:30, Nancy Zampella will be conducting another of her famous yoga seminars! Discover the quieter side of yoga asana.
Women's Wellness Day and Expo! Saturday, January 19th 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Sponsored by the South County Family YMCA-Venice and Venice Regional Medical Center. Spend a morning getting your New Year off to a great healthy start!
New! Fitness Tennis! Fitness Tennis is an exciting group tennis activity featuring drills to give players of all abilities an ultimate, high energy workout. Classes begin December 3rd from 9:15-10:15 AM.
Basic Training Boot Camp: Serious fitness, Serious results! This class will help you improve your endurance, strength and agility. All ages and levels of fitness welcome. A healthier, leaner, stronger you is just around the corner!
New! 12 Week Marathon Training Program! Train with others to run in the 3rd Annual Sarasota Marathon (or half marathon) on March 2nd, 2008!
Team Tiara. If you are thinking about running or walking in the Sarasota half or full marathon in March, consider being a part of Team Tiara and using the power of running to make a difference for our local girls. This is the charity running "leg" for Girls on the Run, Int. and donations will go to our local council.
Pre-teen Fitness classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:15-7:00 PM for 4 weeks each month. The next session starts December 4th-December 27th. Pre-teen ages 11 and 12 will have fun learning proper form and a great new fitness routine safe for their age group using the Bosu, stability balls, hand weights and more.
Walking Challenge! Free to members-Sign up at any time! Sign up in the binder at the front desk. Keep track of miles in binder. Earn 100 mile, 500 mile and 1000 mile t-shirts! Free beginner program handout available. Start now!

For more information regarding the above wellness programs, please contact Deb Betterly, YMCA Venice Wellness Director at (941)-492-9622 ext. 145 or dbetterly@veniceymca.org

Englewood Family YMCA

Holiday Fitness Specials!

Personal Training

Buy 2 sessions, get ONE free!

Buy a 20 session package- get $50 OFF!

Massage Therapy

Buy 2 sessions-get $10 OFF

For more information, please contact Eva Scherer, YMCA Englewood Wellness Director at (941)-475-1234 or escherer@engymca.org

ENGLEWOOD: December Wellness Updates

� New! AOA Women On Weights- Specific for our "Active Older Adult" members- join this group for a fun, safe & effective way to strength train with others.

� New! Golf Fitness Class!Golfers can use weight training to increase strength, flexibility and muscular endurance.

� New! Group Personal Training! Getting bored working out alone? Need a more affordable way to get personal training? Here is the answer- GROUP PERSONAL TRAINING!

� Pre Teen Fitness! FUN! FUN! FUN! A cardiovascular exercise that is kid friendly including strength training, flexibility, group games, healthy eating education and more! This is a great way to introduce your pre-teen to the proper concepts of healthy living in a fun environment.

� New! Sacred Breathing and Meditation - A 3-hour Yoga workshop focusing on the art of breathing and meditation.

� New! Belly Dancing!This form of dance has been around for years and is guaranteed to be fun and really work your core.

� New! Line Dancing! It's not all about country music any more! Come to this hilarious class for a calorie burn while line dancing to all types of music.

� New! Private Kickboxing Lessons! Need one on one to get in shape? A work out provided by Calvin will be sure to get you in shape.

� ZUMBA! A Latin Core Rhythm calorie burner of a class continues to gain popularity and grow! Classes are now offered 5 days a week and MARTA IS BACK.

� New! Massage Therapy Room! Come visit our newly designed serene massage therapy room .

� Spirit-Mind-Body University continues to deliver health and nutrition related lectures through November up to Thanksgiving.

� New! Mini Health and Fitness Seminars! Seminars are offered for 15 minutes each by our trained and certified fitness staff.

� New! Sarasota Marathon and Half Marathon Running Clinic!Participants will receive a 17 week training program for either the Sarasota half or full marathon, a basic strength training program.

� New! 26.2 Runaway Fling!If you attended the Running Clinic on November 10 and have a training plan to follow- this is your next step!

For More information on the above wellness programs, please contact Eva Scherer, YMCA Englewood Wellness Director at 941-475-1234 or escherer@engymca.org