Dear Randolph Y Membership,
As you read this year’s annual letter, spring is in the air, the days are longer and our country, state, and community are slowly emerging from the global pandemic’s tight grip. Over the past 12 months, all of our lives have been affected in ways no one could have ever imagined. Almost everything changed overnight; work, school, family, and even our mundane day-to-day activities we take for granted. Sadly, members of our Y community have suffered the loss of a family member or friend and we grieve and pray with them.
Our YMCA employees and volunteers were not immune to the myriad of life’s disruptions. In the first few months of the pandemic, the Y was required by the state to close its doors and as a result, the Y had to lay off employees and immediately stop providing the essential and recreational services so many in our community have come to expect and need. Yet, despite the State mandated shutdowns, operational challenges, and reduced staff, remaining staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare and position for an eventual reopening, albeit partial, and in a safe environment. A recap of what we have been able to accomplish in 2020:
- American Red Cross blood drive (April)
- Outdoor fitness and spin classes, Rock Steady Boxing classes, and initial ramp-up of our food drives (June)
- Summer camp, swim team practices outdoors at Lake Mohawk (July)
- Main pool and warm water pool reopened (August)
- Y All Day Program - Virtual Learning Support, Kids’ before and after care, expanded swim team practices, cardio room, and lower-level fitness resumed (September)
- Indoor programs returned with additional programs added as restrictions eased (October)
Throughout this time period, our executive staff and board volunteers spent long hours working to ensure the Y would stay on sound financial ground so our doors could reopen and then stay open once the pandemic passed. So what comes next?
Our Y has implemented and continues to follow strict, state-mandated safety protocols and procedures. We restarted programs and services and expanded hours. We will continue to listen to our members and add more of both as restrictions ease. We are thrilled to offer our crucial summer camp program for our community families and expand our fitness programs outdoors again. There is a renewed energy, members are returning, and new members are joining the Y every day. Most importantly our financial situation has stabilized. That said, as a not-for-profit, we continue to ask for and greatly need, your charitable support.
If history provides any lesson, it’s that our society, our community, and our Y will emerge from this stronger than before. Join us and thank you for staying with us.
Jeff Rayner
Board President
