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Strong Kids Campaign under way
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| New Hoerner YMCA CEO Jamie Veach stands next to a banner promoting the facility’s ongoing Strong Kids Campaign. |
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing Editor
Led by a new CEO, the Hoerner YMCA is conducting its annual Strong Kids Campaign to make membership and its activities more affordable for people who couldn't afford them otherwise.
“We're over $7,000 so far and we're getting contributions and donations,” said Jamie Veach, who started his new job at the Hoerner YMCA earlier this month. “A lot of cards are out and calls are being made. We'd like to match last year's total, which was more than $50,000.”
Letters seeking donations have been mailed to past and potential donors. Businesses also will be called on in the coming weeks.
The need for contributions and donations to the Strong Kids Campaign is even greater this year than last year, according to Veach. For instance, the Strong Kids Campaign may help a single mother who was divorced recently, Veach said.
“The Y really contributes to the community. It gives people a safe place to bring their kids,” he added. “It provides a stable place. We give them guidance while they're here, too.”
Veach worked at the Quincy, Ill., YMCA for 7 1/2 years before coming to Keokuk. The Marcelline, Ill., resident supervised sports, fitness and aquatics at the Quincy YMCA.
Originally from Bowen, Ill., the Southeastern High School graduate is a few hours short of earning his bachelor of arts degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Ill. He is taking on-line courses to obtain his degree with a minor in recreation.
“Anybody who spends any length of time at a Y looks ahead to what might be available,” Veach said when asked whether he always wanted to be a YMCA director. “The position (in Keokuk) opened up. I applied for it and things seemed to fall in place.
“People support the Y here and there is room to grow in the community. There are a lot things we could be doing.”
Veach said the Hoerner YMCA would like to offer more girls sports programs, community events and family activities. In January 2009, the local Y will start a biggest loser contest.
“Instructional volleyball for girls will be starting this fall,” he said. “We'd like to turn it into a program with teams.”
In addition, the Y would like to get more children involved in the Y-Athlon next summer. Other goals are to expand the Y's adult volleyball league and broaden corporate participation in the Y.
Successful programs like youth football will not change.
“They've run a good football program in the past and this year will be no different,” Veach said. “The new (Keokuk High School) football coach already has been in contact with us.”
“We're over $7,000 so far and we're getting contributions and donations,” said Jamie Veach, who started his new job at the Hoerner YMCA earlier this month. “A lot of cards are out and calls are being made. We'd like to match last year's total, which was more than $50,000.”
Letters seeking donations have been mailed to past and potential donors. Businesses also will be called on in the coming weeks.
The need for contributions and donations to the Strong Kids Campaign is even greater this year than last year, according to Veach. For instance, the Strong Kids Campaign may help a single mother who was divorced recently, Veach said.
“The Y really contributes to the community. It gives people a safe place to bring their kids,” he added. “It provides a stable place. We give them guidance while they're here, too.”
Veach worked at the Quincy, Ill., YMCA for 7 1/2 years before coming to Keokuk. The Marcelline, Ill., resident supervised sports, fitness and aquatics at the Quincy YMCA.
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“Anybody who spends any length of time at a Y looks ahead to what might be available,” Veach said when asked whether he always wanted to be a YMCA director. “The position (in Keokuk) opened up. I applied for it and things seemed to fall in place.
“People support the Y here and there is room to grow in the community. There are a lot things we could be doing.”
Veach said the Hoerner YMCA would like to offer more girls sports programs, community events and family activities. In January 2009, the local Y will start a biggest loser contest.
“Instructional volleyball for girls will be starting this fall,” he said. “We'd like to turn it into a program with teams.”
In addition, the Y would like to get more children involved in the Y-Athlon next summer. Other goals are to expand the Y's adult volleyball league and broaden corporate participation in the Y.
Successful programs like youth football will not change.
“They've run a good football program in the past and this year will be no different,” Veach said. “The new (Keokuk High School) football coach already has been in contact with us.”
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