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Collaborating to Serve the Community
Middlesex United Way Recognizes Y Members and Staff at January 2019 Annual Meeting
As a cause driven organization focused on Social Responsibility, supporting the community is our focus. Collaboration with organizations like Middlesex United Way, The Peach Pit Foundation and Community Leaders are essential to the success of the Y. At the YMCA, we value giving back to the community. Many Y staff and members are very actively involved in helping to make the Northern Middlesex Community a better place outside the walls of the Y.
Several YMCA members and staff were recognized at the Middlesex United Way Annual Meeting on January 17, 2019. Congratulations to the following members of the YMCA Community: Meghan LaFountain, Bill and Sharon Griffin, Jessica Scheff, and Lori Lodge were presented with recognition awards for their outstanding volunteer work through the Middlesex United Way.
The JUSTIN WILKIE NEXT GENERATION AWARD was presented to YMCA Member Meghan LaFountain for serving the community with an enthusiastic and positive spirit. LaFountain was recognized in the United Way Annual Report as a, "volunteer under 40 who will inspire the next generation of community advocates and leaders by her hard work and commitment to service. LaFountain is on the steering committee of the Middlesex United Way's Young Leaders Society and will serve as chairwoman of the Middlesex United Way Women's Initiative. She is actively involved in various groups throughout the county, including the Middletown Rotary Club, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and the World Affairs Council."
YMCA Director of Fund Development, Lori Lodge was proudly recognized for her role on the Middlesex United Way Board of Directors as Women's Initiative Chair for 2017-2018. Having served as Women's Initiative Chair for the past five years, Lori helped welcome YMCA Member, Meghan LaFountain as she begins serving as chairwoman for the Middlesex United Way Women's Initiative in 2018.
The TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY PHILANTHROPY AWARD was presented to Leadership Donors of the Middlesex YMCA, Bill and Sharon Griffin for their significant role in inspiring philanthropy. The United Way Annual Report details their powerful impact in the community. "These Durham residents, married since 1977, established the Peach Pit Foundation in 2005, a private grant-making organization whose mission is to "plant seeds of opportunity" in the local community. The Griffins have a particular interest in serving the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed Population - a household with income above the federal poverty level but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. They seek to help these ALICE families still in need of some extra help, assisting in various areas such as child care, education or mental health counseling. In their years since it started, the PEACH PIT FOUNDATION has made plenty of notable gifts. In a partnership with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, it has helped provide grants for many local initiatives, including Middlesex Community College, Middlesex YMCA, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce's Summer Youth Employment Program and Middlesex Habitat for Humanity of Connecticut. Some of the ways their philanthropy inspires include sponsoring a house for a family to call home in Middletown through Habitat for Humanity. They also help by donating laptops to Middlesex Community College students who wrote essays explaining how the donation would help them excel in their studies. the Griffins are excellent examples of those who put others before themselves and are dedicated to bettering their community."
At the Y, we measure the success of our cause by how well we engage communities in our three areas of focus.
Our Areas of Focus
The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility. That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors.
Defining our areas of focus:
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen.
HEALTHY LIVING: Improving the nation's health and well-being.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.
Opportunities for All
The Y is for everyone. Our programs, services and initiatives enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, offer ways for families to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind and body; prepare people for employment, welcome and embrace newcomers and help foster a nationwide service ethic. And that's just the beginning.
The Middlesex YMCA Community is honored to include so many generous and inspiring community leaders like Meghan, Jessica, Bill, Sharon and Lori who help us bring about meaningful change in individuals and our community. If you would like to get more involved in making a difference in the community contact the following individuals for volunteer opportunities:
Lori Lodge, Director of Fund Development to provide volunteer assistance with the Annual Campaign Projects or to become a Business Partner, Sponsor, Leadership Donor or Heritage Club Member llodge@midymca.org
Ben Silliman, Director of YMCA Camp Ingersoll and Youth Sports to volunteer your staff team or to help with large facility projects at YMCA Camp Ingersoll or donate an item from the Wish List.
Cindy Sullivan, Coordinator of Active Older Adults Programming to volunteer with the AOA members who work on beautifying the Barbara Briggs Memorial Garden at the Y and host several fundraisers throughout the year to support the Y Annual Campaign.
Heather Chandor, VP of YMCA Operations to volunteer as a professional speaker for the Community Wellness Programs such as LIVESTRONG at the Y for individuals seeking health and wellness after a cancer diagnosis.
Nick Dionne, Aquatic Director and Swim Team Coach to volunteer as a certified YMCA Swim Official at home swim meets or help with team fundraising at concessions.
