2012 was quite a year for the Y.  We not only opened the facility for the first time, but also the community's most anticipated public pool.  The new outdoor pool was 'the' place to be during those hot summer months.  And it was the location of this year's most impactful program.  I know some of you are thinking, "Finally!  Underwater basket weaving gets some recognition."  No, no.  Sorry to all you 'dream weavers.'  This year's impact program was swimming lessons.  And along with it, our volunteer of the year, Sandy Newsome. 

Miss Sandy, as the little guppies call her, has been teaching lessons for 30 years and we were lucky to have her passion for swimming and teaching experience as a volunteer for our first pool season.   She was enthusiastic, to say the least, about being an instructor for our 2nd grade swim lesson program.  A program that was to kick off the pool season.  

In the weeks leading up to the program, members of the community began to ask, "Is Miss Sandy going to teach lessons?" "Did you talk to Sandy Newsome about teaching?" "I hope you have Sandy Newsome involved." 

Each and every comment was followed by "She did a great job teaching my kids to swim."

When asked to help, she immediately took the lead on organizing lesson plans, providing pool toys and teaching aides, and even recruited local high school volunteers to assist.  By the end of her first two weeks as a YMCA volunteer, she had made a difference in the lives of 100 children. 

Her passion for the program and for teaching didn't stop there. Miss Sandy stayed on as a volunteer instructor for the rest of the summer, continuing to make a difference.  

Miss Sandy...for your efforts in making our first year in the pool a success, for making an impact in your community, and for helping save lives one swimming lesson at a  time...we thank you and honor you as the Northumberland Family YMCA's Volunteer of the Year.   

The Y kicked off its third annual Hey Buddy Can You Spare a Dime campaign on February 15 to help send local youth to this year's Summer Camp.  "Everyone seems to find coins in their clothes dryers, cars, pockets, between sofa cushions, kitchen counters, etc. and if they placed them in a Hey Buddy jar, then we could help even more children attend Summer Camp this year," said spokesperson and Y volunteer Karen Curry.  "We're hoping to grow our Hey Buddy campaign this year because we've been in our beautiful new facility for a year and have lots of enthusiastic members."

The Hey Buddy Can You Spare a Dime campaign helps collect donations for the Y's Guardian Program.  The Guardian Program is an unparalleled cause for strengthening our community through nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.  This program enables everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, to belong to the Y and connect with their community.  It includes programs such as Summer Camp, After-School Care, Bright Beginnings, Youth & Adult Sports, etc.  This will be the third year the Hey Buddy campaign will assist the Guardian Program in sending children to Summer Camp and many of these children wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to attend.

Please pick up a Hey Buddy jar in the lobby of the Y in Heathsville, take it home, place coins in the jar, and return it to the Y's Welcome Desk.  The Hey Buddy campaign continues until June 15.