YMCA OF GREATER TOLEDO1500 N. Superior St., 2nd FloorToledo, OH 43604Vol. II, April 2016ymcatoledo.org

FOSTERING A LASTING IMPACTDonor NewsletterYMCA SUMMER CAMPS

Explore Outdoors, FosterGrowth, Safe and Exciting Adventures, Meaningful Investment

The Y offers a host of life-enriching programs and activities to the community,and with summer comes an expanded opportunity to impact youth and teens in a meaningful way. Many of us fondly recall our own summer camp experience as a time for new friendships, adventures, and skill building, but more importantly, a time for gaining confidence and strengthening our sense of self. Giving kids a positive summer experience is a priority for us; your investment in the Y helps provide a safe and exciting experience for young people to explore. Thank you for supporting the Y. This edition of the donor newsletter focuses on the profound impact we have on youth and teens through our summer programs such as day camp, overnight camp and child care.

Our camps are led by passionate and experienced staff who guide campers through an unforgettable summer while fostering emotional, social, physical and creative growth through a range of interactive activities. During camp, kids forge positive relationships and become leaders in an environment where they are unconditionally accepted for who they are.

Our overnight camp programs and facilities are designed to provide unique experiences without fear of failure. Imagine the joy and sense ofaccomplishment a child feels whenstepping off of a 40-foot high zip line, sailing for the first time, or forging close,

>>> SUMMER CAMP HAS MEANINGFUL IMPACT

enriching bonds with other campers. Through challenging and character-building activities, the youth we serve develop a sense of confidence and a yearning to succeed that will last a lifetime.

For nearly 100 years, our camp has been helping kids develop to their fullest potential. We believe that every child who wants to attend camp should be able to do so, regardless of his or her family’s ability to pay. Your financial support allows over 3,400 youth to attend camp with free or reduced costs.

With summer camps at the Y, youth and teens have the unique experience to explore the outdoors, meet new friends and discover new interests, all while becoming strong, confident individuals.

Very few experiences have as meaningful of an impact.

Thank you for making that possible.

InsidePage 2 • YMCA Storer Camps: Kids Can Be Themselves• Summer Fun For All

Page 3 • Donor Highlight• Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations

Next Edition• Safety In and Around Water

President and CEO, Brad Toft

YMCA STORER CAMPS: KIDS CAN BE THEMSELVES

SUMMER FUN FOR ALL

ANN FRIEDHOLM REFLECTS“The YMCA Storer Camps gave me the opportunity to have a life that was more authentic to who I was. Camp was a place where I was free to be me.”

Every year at YMCA Storer Camps, campers gain self-esteem and confidence by challenging themselves with a wide variety of enriching activities and experiences including sailing, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, team sports, and more.

Ann Friedholm grew up with YMCA Storer Camps, first attending camp in 1981 and returning year after year. Ann looks back on her experience with more than just fondness—to her, YMCA Storer Camps was

where she grew into the person she was meant to be.

“The impact of summer camp is two-fold. There’s the emotional experience; Storer is a safe place where kids can be who they truly are without the daily pressures of who people want them to be.” She continued, “And there is the environmental, physical aspect of camp; the memories that weren’t

2

LOGAN’S STORYKristine Dick says YMCA Summer Child Care provided her son Logan an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive by attending his first Y day camp.

“It’s difficult to find a place that has the resources to serve children with disabilities and autism,” said Kristine, “but after speaking with the Executive Director at the Wolf Creek YMCA, I discovered the Y is inclusive and knew this could be a place where Logan might thrive.”

Logan first attended YMCA Summer Child Care in 2015. Kristine explained how the first morning of the program was a blessing.

“As I got out of the car, Logan was uncomfortable with the new routine and didn’t want to follow me. As I stood waiting

>>>

>>>

for him, a camp counselor asked if he could help. He immediately developed a rapport with my son and made Logan feel comfortable and accepted. The next thing I knew, Logan grabbed his backpack from the car and was waving goodbye to me.”

Kristine was thrilled that Logan was able to participate in all of the day camp activities such as swimming, fishing, basketball, board games and art projects.

“Safety is a big concern for me, but I wasn’t worried about leaving him at the Y. Because he was able to attend Summer Child Care, my son had a fun summer.”

Logan and his camp counselor.

Ann and friends at Pathfinder Camp.

a part of regular life that showed me what I could accomplish.” At Storer, Ann learned to sail, canoe, and kayak.

Naturally, Ann wants the same enriching experience for her own children. It wasn’t a

hard sell for her kids to attend camp; all it took was a one-time visit to YMCA Storer Camps for a summer preview day.

In addition to sending her children to summer camp, Ann takes advantage of the opportunities offered at the Y throughout the year.

“Youth development is the key—and safety. I drop my kids off for lessons or classes. The Y is a place that I trust to help develop my children and teach them important skills for life.”

The Friedholm family at Inspiration Point.

Camp staff with Ann’s four children.

3

>>>DONOR HIGHLIGHT - CONNECTING AT CAMP“YMCA Storer Camps gives kids the chance to connect to parts of themselves that technology and the fast pace of our busy lives doesn’t always allow.”

A former longtime camper, Charlie Brown, Managing Director for Strategy for Humanity in Arlington, VA, is still impacted by the values instilled in him at Storer Camps so many years ago. “I work on human rights issues, and I can make the connection that Storer gave me direction and taught me a values system that I adhere to today.”

At YMCA Storer Camps, youth are taught the value of giving back to their community, and to this day Brown still recognizes the importance, giving not only to his local Y, but also by donating to YMCA Storer Camps.

“When you ask my youngest daughter what her favorite thing to do is, she says ‘play and play and play and play!’ And that’s what YMCA Storer Camps gives; the opportunity to play and grow. Unfortunately for many kids, playing is a new experience. I give to Storer Camps so that all kids can ‘play and play and play and play,’ not only the kids who come from families that can afford it.”

-Charlie Brown

>>>LEAVING A LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONSMany faithful supporters of the YMCA are helping to extend their influence beyond their own lifetime by designating gifts or assets to the YMCA’s Endowment Fund. Gifts can be directed to support the overall work of the YMCA, or designated to support a specific program.

Your current and future gifts will benefit children and families in years to come.

Storer Camp Endowments: • The Ewing Scholarship and Stollberg Scholarship Endowments both designate interest and/or earnings to fund Summer Camp scholarships for children.

• Mennel Endowment earnings support The Storer Outdoor School’s educational programs by providing support for staff, equipment and supplies.

• The Camp Catch-A-Rainbow Endowment exists to support Camp Catch-A-Rainbow, a free of charge summer camp for children, between ages four and

15, who are being treated for cancer or who are in remission from cancer.

• The Jeff Green and the Josephine & Ralph Merickel Endowments provide funds for scholarships to any of YMCA Storer Camps’ programs.

• The Warr Endowment provides income to be used only for the preservation and protection of YMCA Storer Camps’ facilities, including land acquisition. Contributions of $1,000 or more are known as Storer’s “Inspiration Pointers.”

How can I learn more about Endowments or Planned Giving at YMCA Storer Camps, or other YMCA branches and programs?

Contact Becky Spencer, Vice President of Camping at 517.536.8607 or Glen King, Chief Development Officer at 419.283.0591.

Campers from 1981. Endowments and legacy gifts ensure support for future campers.

Do you have a story to share? Please contact Glen King at 419.283.0591 or gking@ymcatoledo.org.

Pictured: Charlie’s 9 year-old daughter, Greta, ready to ‘play and play and play and play’ at Camp.

Water fun at YMCA Storer Camps in 2015.

FOSTERING A LASTING IMPACT Donor NewsletterYMCA SUMMER CAMPS

YMCA OF GREATER TOLEDODONOR NEWSLETTER1500 N. Superior St., 2nd FloorToledo, OH 43604