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YMCA Association Publications

The YMCA of the Brandywine Valley produces a variety of publications throughout the year that highlight the work the YMCA is doing on behalf of the community.

To add your name to our mailing list, e-mail your request to kbabiak@ymcabwv.org.

2007 YMCA Annual Report
2006 YMCA Annual Report
2005 YMCA Annual Report


Winter 2007 - "We Build YMCA Association Newsletter"

Spring 2007- "We Build"
YMCA Association Newsletter

Summer 2006 - "We Build"
YMCA Association Newsletter


Archived YMCA Stories:


Photo Gallery:

Click Here to view pictures from the 2006 West Chester Area YMCA Good Kids Benefit Dinner, featuring guest speaker Dick Vermeil.


Click here to view pictures from the Twin Valley YMCA 2007 Benefit Dinner


 

 


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YMCA of the Brandywine Valley Congratulates Two of its Swimmers Who Qualified for thr 2008 Olympic Trails

Pictured here (left to right) is Morgan and Kayla posing after a swim meet.

 

 

 

Congratulations to Kayla Andrews from the Kennett Area YMCA and Morgan Callaway from the Brandywine YMCA for qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Trials, being held on June 29 in Omaha, Nebraska. Kayla qualified in the 50 free and Morgan qualified in the 100 back. Both girls are sophomore roommates at the University of West Virginia.

Kayla is a sophomore Exercise Physiology major, who has been swimming since she was 4; swimming competitively for the last 11 years. As a member of the Kennett Area YMCA swim team, Kayla holds numerous records in the medley relay and free. She was the 2005 Delaware High School Champion in 100 fly, 2006 Delaware High School Champion in 100 free, 2006 YMCA Short Course National Champion in 100 free and also holds records at West Virginia University. Her favorite aspect of swimming is the team atmosphere and camaraderie among her teammates. Kayla is extremely happy to be able to share this special moment with her roommate Morgan. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys cooking, studying, hanging out with her friends and sleeping.   Her message to upcoming swimmers is, "Never give up. Swimming gets rough at times, practices get harder and the competition gets faster, but as long as you keep your head in the game you can do anything you put your mind to."

Morgan, a sophomore Elementary and Special Education major, has been swimming since she was 3; competitively for about 14 years. As captain of the Brandywine YMCA swim team, Morgan held numerous records in medley, free, fly, freestyle and butterfly from 1996 to 2003. Morgan also has records at Coatesville High School and many records at West Virginia University. Morgan greatly enjoys the excitement and supportive environment swimming provides for her. She is ecstatic to have qualified for the trials with her roommate Kayla. In her spare time, Morgan enjoys hanging out with her friends, studying, and swimming. She plans to apply for the Benedum Collaborative Five Year Teacher Education Program at the end of May which will determine whether or not she gets into the teaching program at the university. Her message for future swimmers is, "Always try your hardest and leave it all in the pool. I always try my hardest for every race I swim.  I believe that's all you can do. Sometimes you may not get your best time but you can walk away from that block knowing you gave it your all."

The YMCA of the Brandywine Valley is extremely proud of both Kayla and Morgan and wish them luck in the trials on June 29.


Alice’s Run and Walk 5K Event raised over $15,000 for the
YMCA and the Alzheimer’s Foundation
2007 Alice's Run & Walk
Race Results & Awards Results

Over 641 people brightened up a blustery winter day when they came out for YMCA of the Brandywine Valley’s 1st Annual Alice’s Run & Walk 5K event on Saturday, December 8 at Hibernia Park. The event raised over $15,000 for the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley and the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Alice's Run and Walk is named for Alice Gonaver, mother of YMCA of the Brandywine Valley Senior Vice President Jody Giardina, who passed away in February from Alzheimer's Disease. The overall race winner was Stephen Schmidt, Alice Gonaver's grandson, who finished in 19:55. Janice Lear was the female overall winner who finished in 23:26. Alice’s Run & Walk marked the culmination of the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley's Girls on the Run & Women on Track programs. The event was also open to the community and drew hundreds of participants from across the region.

The YMCA would like to thank Alice's Run sponsors Precision Print Communications, Triple Fresh Catering, Activate Chester County, Aetna Foundation, and Freedom Village.

Start training now for the 2008 Alice’s Run & Walk scheduled for December 13, 2008. Watch the YMCA's website, www.ymcabwv.org, for details on getting involved in the Girls on the Run and Women on Track programs which will start up again in February. Girls on the Run is a YMCA program that uses the power of running to help prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Girls also train together to run or walk in a 5K. The YMCA’s Women on Track program is for women of all fitness levels who are looking for a supportive, motivational approach to wellness. Participants learn about healthy lifestyle topics and increase walking or jogging endurance while working toward a 5K event

Pictured here is overall race winner, Stephen Schmidt with Jody Giardina, his aunt, after completing the race.

 










Octorara YMCA Welcomes Carolyn Beam as YMCA Board Chair

Octorara YMCA welcomes Carolyn Beam as YMCA Board Chair. Beam is a Senior Vice President and Retail Sales Leader at Fulton Bank in the Brandywine Division, which covers Chester and Delaware Counties.  She has been with Fulton Bank for 2 years and in banking for 26 years. 

As the Octorara YMCA Board Chair, Beam strives to provide an environment that always operates in the best interest of the community. She would also like to continue to teach, spread and model the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in the community.

 “I am so excited to be a part of the Octorara YMCA Board of Directors especially with this year being the year we have received our Charter.  Being chairperson for the Board has so far allowed me to interact with many wonderful and truly engaged individuals associated with the Association, as well as the individual branch YMCAs of the Brandywine Valley.  I look to have the Octorara YMCA grow membership and strengthen our youth programs, while supporting our families and our communities. The community is ready for this environment and I am thrilled to be working with a group of committed individuals that are willing to deliver the YMCA promise.”

Beam lives in Gap, PA and has a son who attends school in the Octorara School District. Octorara YMCA received its official branch charter in March 2007 at the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley Annual Meeting held. Official YMCA branch status enables the Octorara YMCA to receive support from YMCA’s across the country which in turn allows for a larger network of ideas and creativity. The Octorara YMCA is planning many new classes and programs for their members this fall. Be sure to check out our website at www.ymcabwv.org for more information or call 610-593-YMCA.

 Caption: Pictured here with the Branch Recognition Plaque (from left to right) Carolyn Beam, Octorara YMCA Board Chair; with Brian Wenzka, YMCA Executive Director.





West Chester Breaks Ground!

Dozens of YMCA supporters turned out for a groundbreaking celebration on September 10. Susan Casso and Robert Hall, who led the successful "Next 100 Years" Capital Campaign to raise $3 million towards the new YMCA's construction, moved the first mound of dirt with a ceremonial shovel. Other special guests who helped move dirt at the new site were (left to right): Gary Green, YMCA of the Brandywine Valley President/CEO; Donna Coughey, YMCA of the Brandywine Valley Board Chair; Mickey Broyles-Hall, West Chester Area YMCA Board Chair; Robert Hall and Susan Casso, Co-Chairs of the “Next 100 Years” Capital Campaign to raise funds for the new YMCA and Lee Bunting, West Chester Area YMCA Executive Director.

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