The Duneland Family YMCA hosted a special celebration breakfast at the Spa Events Center in Porter, IN. Like all YMCAs, there is a lot of good going on inside and outside of Duneland Y’s walls. Not everyone knows that, though, and this morning’s event was about shouting out the vision and mission that the Duneland YMCA pursues.
Click here to see more photos from the breakfast!
People trickled in to the beautiful banquet hall, warmly greeting one another as more and more guests arrived. Finally when the room was full, Dave Kasarda, the new CEO of the Duneland Family YMCA, welcomed everyone and began the program.
“We are celebrating the success of the Duneland YMCA in the last year and officially kicking off the 2015 support campaign,” Kasarda said. “We have some very powerful messages in store from people who have had their lives touched by this organization.”
First to approach the podium were campaign co-chairs Tim and Kathy Harris. Tim spoke of the vision that some community members had to repurpose a facility that would house the YMCA.
“My life and the lives of our family have been intertwined with the YMCA since February 1966,” Tim said. “We all played on the hardwood floors of the Y, ran relay races in the former cafeteria, participated in arts and crafts projects, but most importantly we were supervised, instructed and guided by caring adults who devoted their time, money, and effort to supporting this family-oriented endeavor.”
During that time Chesterton was a smaller town with not much in the way of recreation for kids. More and more families were coming in and the need for family activities was growing. The YMCA was a big hit and though it has grown and changed throughout the years, it is still a staple that many rely on in Northwest Indiana.
“We’re inspired to be here and support this cornerstone of our community and its causes,” Kathy said. “Many of which are very close to our family’s heart and have served the well-being of our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Our family along with many other families have been blessed with the opportunities of childcare, educational programs, wellness and fitness programs, physical therapy, and fellowship.”
Guest speakers at the event were Michael and Nicole Haley, a sweet couple who turned their lives around with the help of those within the Duneland Family YMCA. They spoke on their transition and why the Y matters to them.
“The Y has played a big part in our loves,” Michael said. “It brought our family together in more than one way so we owe a lot to the Y and we love to give back.”
Their story had a rough beginning. Michael suffered from addiction and Nicole from post-partum depression. These factors nearly drove them apart, but they found refuge at the Y in time. Michael fell in love with Zumba and tae kwon do, and became friends with many of the members. At the same time Nicole was seeing a doctor and he suggested that she give the YMCA a try as an alternative and natural method to deal with her depression. Neither knew at the time, but both Michael and Nicole had gone to the same place, the Y, for a solution. Since then they have gotten married, enrolled their children in the programs at the Y, and overcome the obstacles that nearly separated them.
“We are so thankful to be here to share our story with you,” Nicole said. “[The YMCA] has changed us as individuals, in our relationship as parents, and as members of the community.” The breakfast came to an end after that. Everyone left with lightened hearts and an even greater respect for the Duneland Family YMCA.
For more information on the Duneland Family YMCA, visit their website at http://www.dunelandymca.org/ or check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Dunelandymca!