“Dear Mr. Hoey:
Even without your heartfelt letter and WJZ-TV13 News story, I will continue to pay my dues each month. The Perry Hall Y has improved my quality of life so much. Even with my modest retirement income, if I can afford to hang in there... I urge current members to do so also to get us through this horrible Coronavirus pandemic. And I'll continue to recommend the Y to my friends... like the new ones I've met at the Seven Oaks Senior Center and longtime friends who ask me what I'm up to now that I'm only working occasional freelance work.
So, I'm waiting it out so I can get back to my routine of going to MY Y -- like it's my job!
Keep up the great work.
Respectfully yours,
Bonnie”
“Hi John! I just read a news article that the Y is struggling due to lack of funds from the COVID-19 outbreak. Our family wants to do its part to help, so we would like to reinstate our membership. We originally had to cancel because we moved further away, but this month we moved back near the Westminster Y.
The Y is so much of who I am. I grew up going to the Y as a safe place while my single mom worked to be sure she had money to put food on the table and that I was still able to participate in swim team.
Kiley”
These are just two of countless messages of support I’ve received from our wonderful community of members, participants, donors and so many others who are stepping up to support the Y so we can continue to support others during this crisis and beyond. They are a poignant reminder of how important the Y is in individual lives and in the life of our entire community.
Comments like these fuel our work and are even more precious in the midst of this crisis. I always knew what a special breed Y people are, but the character being shown by our Y associates since this crisis began to unfold has been remarkable to behold. I am incredibly proud that, with all the anxiety and personal worry that everyone must have at this time, Y associates have done what Y associates do. They have stepped in to meet the most pressing community needs without hesitation. This includes signing up to care for children of first responders and front-line health professionals; going back into schools to feed students who depend on a daily school meal to survive; providing critically important support resources for our Head Start families; calling our senior members just to say hello; and connecting our entire Y community to vital resources, exercise, youth learning and enrichment activities and so much more!
This is an especially challenging time. However, it’s my sense that the Coronavirus is no match for the selflessness, determination and fundamental character of Y people. We will come out of this stronger, more united and ever more determined to do Y work. As uncertain as things seem at the moment, this is one thing of which I am quite certain.
I am privileged to do this work alongside so many incredible Y associates, volunteers and community members. Thank you. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland