An Update From Governor Whitmer
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-77 to extend Michigan’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order to May 28. The Dow Bay Area Family YMCA is a fitness facility that must remain closed under these guidelines.
Although we really can't wait to open our doors to our members and friends again, we are proud to remain steadfast and continue serving our community even through our facility closure. Our staff is working diligently to provide meals for our youth, food boxes for families in need, fellowship and friendly calls to our senior members, and a virtual community for all to stay in touch. We are still here for you, and we miss you! Continue reading for an update on our food programs, a craft for mom, access to our YouTube channel, and more!
The YMCA is a nonprofit charity that relies on membership dues and donations to support the majority of the work we do. Without ongoing support from YMCA members and community members, there would be a critical gap in the vital services the Y provides to the community. If you are able, please consider giving to the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA. Even if you don’t itemize on your 2020 tax form, you can now take a deduction for up to $300 in charitable contributions under the CARES Act that was recently passed. If you would like to schedule a donation equivalent to your monthly membership dues while our facility is closed, email member services at memberservice@ymcabaycity.org. Thank you for sticking with us. Your generosity does not go unnoticed!
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Our Cause Does Not Take a Break During a Pandemic.
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Free Youth Food Program
Our Free Youth Food Program operates year-round, but since the beginning of the government mandated shutdown, we have expanded our weekly schedule to provide for children who rely on school meals during the school year. Our pick-up hours are Mondays through Fridays from 11am to 3pm and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Simply pull up to our building to receive 3 meals per day during the week and 4 total meals on Saturday. Since our building closed on March 16th, we have served over 20,000 meals to youth in our county! We couldn't have done it without YOU!
Breakfast and lunch have been made possible by an extension of the Summer Food Service Program in partnership with the USDA and the Michigan Department of Education. Dinner has been made possible in part by a generous financial donation and a donation of Ziploc bags from SC Johnson. We have also appreciated the donations of apple slices and milk from McDonalds, pizza from Jets Pizza, milk from Burger King, and the work of our dedicated staff in administering this much-needed program.
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Emergency Food Boxes
Anyone with a need in Bay County is eligible to receive an Emergency Food Box from us as long as they are referred to us by 211. Our hours are Mondays through Fridays from 11am to 3pm and Saturdays 11am to 1pm. Since March 16th, we have distributed 481 food boxes!
Thank you to Hidden Harvest, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, 211, United Way of Bay County, and the Bay Area Community Foundation for providing funds, meals, support, and partnership to make this project possible.
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Emergency Food Box Delivery
Emergency Food Box deliveries are available! Families or individuals with limited mobility may now choose to have their Emergency Food Box delivered to them rather than pick it up at our YMCA.
To participate, individuals should dial 2-1-1 to receive a food box or pantry referral. (Call during our food box hours to be referred to our Y!) Once referred, the individual will arrange a pick-up time or request the delivery.
We would like to thank Sunrise National Distributors for donating the use of a truck to our YMCA so that we can accomplish these deliveries.
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| Dow Bay Area Family YMCA on the Go!
Join and follow our private Facebook Group for videos of work outs to do at home from your favorite Personal Trainers and Group Exercise Instructors, as well as other helpful tips from your friends at the Y!
Don't have Facebook? No problem! We are also sharing information, workouts, nutrition tips, and other videos on our website. Find us on YouTube as well to watch all of our published workout and daily tip videos.
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Happy Mother's Day!
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th! All you need is a pair of scissors, some construction paper, glue, and a marker to show your mom how much you appreciate her with a card like the example shown left. To create the card pictured, simply fold a piece of construction paper hamburger style, cut out the shape of the mug (making sure the flat side of the mug lines up with the side of your fold), and attach the various flower shapes and stems along with your message to mom!
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| Print out this Coloring Sheet & We Will Display it at the Y!
We miss our Y-Kids playing basketball, swimming in the pool, and playing together in childcare. We want to honor some of our Y-Kids by displaying their finished coloring sheet in our building once it reopens. Save and print out the above coloring sheet, color it in together, and bring it in once we reopen and see your artwork proudly displayed for all to see. Have fun coloring!
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| Memorial Day
Remember to honor our nation's fallen soldiers on Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day. Thank you to the men and women whose sacrifices were made to protect our freedom. We are eternally grateful for your courage, service, and commitment.
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| We Can't Wait to See You Again!This has been a frustrating, confusing, and stressful time for all of us. What gets us through the unpleasantries of this pandemic is YOU: our members, friends, guests, and supporters. We have been touched by your willingness to give to our cause. Your shared stories and photos through social media have reminded us that our work is valuable to our community. Your encouragement through thank you signs and emails have motivated us to stay vigilant. It is no exaggeration when we say our YMCA would be absolutely nothing without our members. All of us at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA are so grateful for you. We can't wait to see you all again! Stay safe!
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Employees of the Month
Health & Wellness Staff
We are so grateful for our group exercise instructors, personal trainers, and fitness floor staff for all of their contributions as we have moved to a virtual platform to continue strengthing the foundations of our community through Health & Wellness. In these uncertain times, we thank you for staying committed to our Cause! Thank you!
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