If you remember a few months ago, we featured Jessica Schipper’s great efforts in raising awareness and funds for her MSD and Me. The support, awareness, and feedback that you all provided was phenomenal! In thinking of other ways that we, as a swimming community, can make an impact locally…a light bulb flipped on.

My Story

Aside from creating this site with Braden and staying up until 3:00am on a nightly basis for TSC, I have worked with the Y for the better part of 16 years serving my communities as a youth sport coach, health and wellness liaison, lifeguard and swim instructor, childcare team member, and now as the director of aquatics and competitive swimming. To say the very least, I have a deeply-rooted passion for the Y and the programs that we provide our respective communities.

So, here is my draw to the Y:

Every day, I have the amazing and priceless opportunity to see how much of an impact I truly have on the families in my community; the smiles from the kids and the parents, the comments about how much good we are doing for the school programs, and the welcoming feeling we give to everyone that walks into our doors. The draw…the Y is an unconditional and judgement free place for everyone.

Why Support the Hamden-North Haven YMCA

Quite honestly, I hadn’t thought of featuring the Hamden-North Haven Y (my branch of the Y) only because…well, it was right under my nose!

I walk in the door at the Hamden Y and the team here feels that we can do so much more. There is always a push to do something new for the community and improve on the current programs that we provide. There is vibrant life in the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility throughout all of our department teams, and we try to fully live our mission on a daily basis of providing for all!

What We are Asking

Braden and I have set a goal of $10,000 by the end of the year (December 31, 2011) to be raised for the Hamden-North Haven YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign.

What does that mean to you?

It means that we are asking you to support the Y by giving a $5, $10, or $15 tax-deductible donation online. No, it doesn’t seem like much, but if we can get 1,000 people to donate an average of $10, we are able to reach our goal.

So, please…give today and help us get the ball rolling to support my local YMCA! You can click on the link below and simply fill out the form (please use me as the campaigner so that we can accurately track the progress).

Donation Link: Click Here

If you have any questions or would like to talk more, you can contact me (Andy@TheSwimmersCircle.com)