2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT - Duneland Family YMCA

OUR
CAUSE
DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA
215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton, IN
December 2015
Dunelandymca.org
LIVING OUR CAUSE ::: NEWS FROM THE DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA
VOLUME 1 ::: ISSUE 2
2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT
Making A Difference in the Duneland Communities
Provided a safe and
engaging place for more
than 450 kids and teens to
go after school with a focus
on academic achievement
and keeping kids active.
Taught 311 kids, teens
and adults the lifesaving
skill of swimming through
group and private swim
lessons.

98% of the youth served in our Early
Learning Facility (ELF) were academically
prepared to begin Kindergarten.

99% of the youth served in our ELF
developed emotionally and socially to age
appropriate levels.

New half day Preschool program added to
serve the developmental needs of 54
additional children.

Invested $64,779 in capital improvements.

Exceeded our Annual Support Campaign
goal by raising $50,197 which will be used
to ensure that Y programs/services remain
available to all.

Received $33,500 in new grants that
allowed us to expand/improve our programs
and services.
Engaged 515
kids in youth
sports, teaching
the lifelong
importance of
teamwork,
sportsmanship
and healthy
activity.

Added 35 additional weekly group exercise classes
to ensure that all people have access to a healthy
lifestyle.

Partnered with Chasing Dreams to provide free
swimming lessons for children w ith special
needs.

Supported the Indiana Heart Gallery helping to
raise awareness of statewide adoptions.
216 YMCA Active Older Adults
maintained healthy spirits,
minds & bodies through our
variety of programming that
helped them to stay fit, social
and active.
Provided 135
preschool age
children at our Early
Learning Facility an
opportunity to learn,
create, empower and
grow, giving them
the best possible
start in their
education so they
arrive at their first
day of Kindergarten
ready to learn.

Partnered with Porter Regional Hospital to offer a
free Welcome to Wellness program which will
provide new members with the information they
need to obtain a healthy lifestyle.

Added 5 new pieces of cardio and weight
equipment.

Implemented a free, community based Walkin’
Wednesday program w hich provided people
of all ages an opportunity to exercise and
socialize.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Achieving my life long goal at the Duneland Y
. . . Y Member, Eva Thomas
I can clearly remember my first group exercise class at the
Duneland Family YMCA. I was a shy girl hiding in the back corner
of the room, trying to make it through the class while not drawing
any attention to myself. I received a membership to the YMCA as a
Christmas gift and I thought that this would really be my
opportunity to change. 2015 was going to be a very important
year in my life. I was scheduled to graduate from nursing school, I
would begin my new career, and I was growing more confident not
only in my skills in the health care field, but in my appearance as
well.
I routinely attended the Strength and Toning class, hiding in my
safe corner of the room. Through time, I started to meet people,
began to be recognized by other members and started to get more
involved. The instructor for the class always welcomed me and
made me feel comfortable with my progress. She would encourage
me to try new classes, provide me with great tips and most
importantly was able to help me achieve my personal goals. Now,
the Duneland Family YMCA is where I go to blow off the stress of
the day and to connect with friends.
Joining the Duneland YMCA was one of the best decisions I have
ever made. My involvement at the Y has now led to me
volunteering as a member of the membership committee. I was
honored to be asked to serve on this committee and hope to help
others through their individual journeys. With the support of the
Duneland Family YMCA staff, I am excited to see what the future
holds. Thank you Duneland Y!
“The Duneland Y is more than just physical fitness. You’d be
amazed at what goes on there!”
Dan Keilman, Y Volunteer
VOLUNTEERS MAKE LIFELONG CONNECTIONS . . .
. . . Meg McCarel, Duneland Family YMCA Volunteer
For Meg McCarel, leadership, volunteerism and YMCA involvement are all part of family
traditions. As a child Meg took sewing lessons, learned to knit and participated in gymnastics at Y. She learned to swim in the above ground pool which was found in the
basement of the first Y housed in the old Thomas School. At age 10, Meg would ride her
bike to the new YMCA (current location) with her siblings and friends. According to Meg,
“the Y was the place to be.”
Throughout the years, Meg has played an integral role as volunteer, leader, advocate and
fundraiser. When asked why she is so committed to the Y, Meg replied, “I am a very lucky
girl. Both of my parents (Mike and Sue Harris) demonstrated leadership and volunteerism
in every aspect of their lives.” The strength of the Duneland communities has been fostered by selfless dedication of hard working people who took pride in sharing their values
from generation to generation. “As my siblings and I grew older, we just knew that community involvement was the right thing to do.”
Today, the Duneland Family YMCA is a thriving cause-driven organization that is addressing some of our community’s
biggest needs. Through her tireless work chairing events like the Y’s Womanless Beauty Pageant and Dancing like the
Stars, Meg has perpetuated her families living legacy, producing annual fundraising events that benefit children and
families in need of Y services. “Even through the toughest times,” Meg said, “the YMCA has always been here to help
every member of our community.” Thanks to family lessons learned early on in life, Meg’s contribution endures as a
symbol of the Y’s ability to strengthen both family and community.
Become a volunteer, get involved and create lasting memories while sharing your unique
talents. Join us, we could use someone like you!
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2015 YEAR END GIVING
The holidays are quickly approaching and as they do, we embark on a season of giving. On top of parties, gift
exchanging and resolution making, it is also the end of the tax year – the deadline for charitable giving in order to
receive a tax deduction. Tax deductions are important for the donor and nonprofit alike: the nonprofit receives more
of the donation since it’s not taxed, and the donor reduces his or her taxable income. Year-end charitable gifts to the
Duneland Family YMCA help to ensure that no child, family or adult is ever turned away. As the year draws to a close,
here are some things to consider when making your year-end donations.
Cash is convenient and provides an income tax deduction when itemized on your income tax return. The gift must be
postmarked by Dec. 31. The date on the check or the day you put the envelope in the mail doesn't matter. The IRS
requires the postmark to be before midnight on Dec. 31 for you to take the charitable deduction on your 2011 tax
return.
Use your credit card to make the gift. Get the deduction now and pay the bill no earlier than a month from
the date of the gift, or at your convenience. If your credit card provides frequent flyer miles or other credits or points,
you get the tax advantages plus added benefits.
Donate appreciated stock held for more than one year and derive an additional tax benefit: avoidance of capital
gain. Consider donating appreciated stock with the greatest capital gain to maximize your tax benefit.
Sell stock that has lost value and donate the proceeds. You can deduct the loss in value (cost basis less current
value) and derive an income tax charitable deduction for the current market value.
If you would like more information about your year-end gift, contact Dave Kasarda, Chief Executive Officer, at
219-926-4204 or dkasarda@dunelandymca.org.
$100 gives a child sports programming; $250-two weeks of Summer Camp; $500-six weeks of infant care.
From My Perspective
A REASON FOR HOPE - OUR CAUSE IN ACTION
Greetings to all! First let me tell you a bit about myself and why the Duneland YMCA means so much to me. I
became involved with the Duneland YMCA as “Nurse Laurie” in 2010. As Nurse Laurie I was responsible for building
healthy relationships with members by offering health screenings and acting as a resource for health related
questions. I soon began to realize that the Y is not just a gym or health club – it is so much more!
I learned that the Y believes healthy means more than simply being physically active. It’s about maintaining a
balanced spirit, mind and body. I also learned that the Y is a leading voice on health and wellness issues, a leader in
fighting chronic disease and is committed to empowering people to lead fuller lives. It brings families closer together,
promotes healthy living and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions
of youth, adults and families receive the support, guidance and resources they need to become and stay healthy. I
also realized that the Duneland YMCA supports all people seeking a healthier lifestyle and greater well-being by
making their services easy, accessible and affordable.
Imagine my realization that Porter Health Care System has the same mission and vision! Yes, the hospital cares for
the sick but also invests great time and effort in illness prevention and educating the public about healthier lifestyles.
My career at Porter started in the Emergency Room in 1978. Much of my career was spent caring for the sick and
injured. But I quickly realized that part of a nurse’s responsibility included teaching about injury prevention and I
embarked on a mission to decrease injuries and deaths that occurred as a result of impaired driving. I traveled within Indiana and across the states teaching Emergency Department nurses how to reach out to their communities. Little did I know that this passion would eventually bloom into also teaching about community health and wellness and
partnering with organizations like the Y. Helping to make our communities safer and healthier has been, and is, a
very important part of who I am today.
When I was given the opportunity to become more involved at the Duneland Y by becoming a member of the Board
of Directors I jumped at the chance! I wanted to expand my involvement by becoming a financial supporter and
leader in the organization. By working with their dedicated staff, volunteers and other board members, I realized
that together we can make our community better.
By working together we hope to achieve these desired outcomes: people achieve their personal health and wellness
goals; people reduce the common risk factors associated with chronic disease; the healthy choice is the easy,
accessible and affordable choice, especially in communities with the greatest health disparities; disease prevention
for all people, whether they are healthy, at risk or reclaiming their health.
The Y and Porter partner with other key stakeholders who influence health and wellbeing. The end goal is creating a
better Duneland community!
LAURIE WEHNER-EVANS
Duneland Family YMCA Board of Directors
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DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA
215 Roosevelt Street
Chesterton, IN 46304
IN THIS ISSUE
Community Impact - Pg. 1
Health & Wellness - Pg. 2
Volunteer Connections - Pg. 2
2015 Year End Giving - Pg. 3
From My Prospective - Pg. 3
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Contact Jane Delligatti, Our Cause
Publisher at (219) 926 4204 or
jdelligatti@dunelandymca.org
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