JOIN US:LIGHTNER YMCA ACHIEVERS BANQUET

Join us November 17 to celebrate one of Raleigh's most revered leaders, Mayor Clarence E. Lightner, and help us honor the teens who participate in the YMCA Leadership Development program that bears his name - Clarence E. Lightner YMCA Achievers Program.


The keynote speaker will be Brett C. Carter, President of Duke Energy North Carolina. He is responsible for advancing the company’s rate and regulatory initiatives and managing state and local regulatory and governmental relations, economic development and community affairs.

Carter was named as a 2010 Charlotte Father of the Year by the National Father’s Day Council. He also received the Whitney M. Young Award from the Urban League of Central Carolinas for outstanding dedication to philanthropy, diversity and inclusion.

Mark your calendar for the Lightner YMCA Achievers Leadership Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 6 pm at the North Raleigh Hilton.

Tickets are $65 each, and are available through the YMCA. Please email Jessica Howard for more information.

CITY OF OAKS MARATHON: RUN FOR FUN

Join your YMCA friends at the City of Oaks Marathon on Nov. 6. In fact, we're so excited about promoting healthy living in our community that we're sponsoring the YMCA Kids Marathon Mile for children ages 7 - 14!

There are 3 easy ways for you to participate in this new event. We just kids to set goals, get active, and just have fun!



• Full marathon: Complete 25.2 miles prior to the race. Complete your final mile on race day.

• Half marathon: Complete 12.1 miles prior to the race. Complete your final mile on race day.

• One-mile Fun Run: No pre-race running required.

Where: Meet us at the NC State Bell Tower at 7 am on November 6.


Registration Information: Go to www.cityofoaksmarathon.com to register. YMCA Participants receive $10 off any race entry fee. Just use discount code: rcooymca.


Each runner will receive a race bib, pull-string race bag, a finisher medal and an awesome experience as they cross the finish line. Participants will enjoy a pancake breakfast after the race.

Y LEARNING TOUR OF SAS TOURNAMENT

PGA Pro Bobby Clampett

Today, nearly a dozen students in the YMCA of the Triangle’s Y Learning Tutorial Program got a sneak peek at the SAS Championship. And, the students from Reedy Creek Middle School actually got to hit the driving range!

“This is a great opportunity for these children,” says Brad Davis, YMCA of the Triangle Vice President of Development. “The students are really excited about meeting some pros, and actually picking up a golf club. It is also a wonderful way for the kids to see the championship that helps make Y Learning possible.”

Proceeds from the 2011 SAS Championship will benefit Y Learning, the YMCA of the Triangle’s standardized after school tutorial program that is funded through the Y’s annual WeBuildPeople Campaign. This is the second year that the YMCA’s Y Learning program was selected as the tournament’s charity of choice. Last year, the tournament provided $200,000 to Y Learning.                                

“The YMCA of the Triangle does amazing work in its service for our community,” said Jeff Kleiber, Tournament Director of the SAS Championship. “Y Learning, the camp offerings, the character and leadership development are major contributions toward serving the needs of our underserved children. We are thrilled to be able to support this truly wonderful organization.”

Over the past 10 years, the SAS Championship has provided more than $2.5 million toward local community outreach programs.

YMCA HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AWARD WINNER: THE LUCAS FAMILY

Meet the Lucas Family from the Cary Family Y!

Paul, Beth, Jacob and Maddie are the perfect example of a healthy lifestyle change.

The Lucas Family

They went from unhealthy eating habits and inactivity to Paul completing an ironman triathlon – 140.6 miles total!

He has been a great role model for the whole family. Ten-year-old Maddie has completed several 5Ks, several kids triathlons and an adult sprint triathlon. Seven-year-old Jacob has completed a few duathlons and kids triathlons as well.

Paul and Beth have both reduced their medications. They have made exercise and healthy eating a family journey. The Lucas family is truly an inspiration to all families that are trying to make healthy changes.

The Y sponsored the YMCA Healthy Lifestyle Change Award as part of the American Heart Association's Triangle Heart Walk. We asked Y members, staff and the general public to nominate people who took the first step toward healthy living. Winners were announced at the walk on Sept. 25.

Congratulations to the Lucas family, and the other folks, who made a commitment to a healthy lifestyle change.

STILL TIME TO WALK FOR GOOD

Put on your walking shoes, and come out to the American Heart Association Heart Walk on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the RBC Center at 1:00 pm.

Participate in interactive booths, see who won the YMCA Lifestyle Change award, and walk one or three miles. All ages are welcome. You can even bring your dog! And best of all, it’s free. Register here to join our team.

GOOD LUCK MOOSE!

More than 13,000 fathers and their children participate in YMCA Guides & Princesses. Small groups, known as tribes, make up the Arapahoe Nation.

How-How!

We thought you’d want to know that Matt “Moose” Strickland, Y Guides Senior Director, has been offered an exciting opportunity to be Executive Director of a local nonprofit, Band Together.
While we will miss Matt’s leadership, sense of fun and incredible energy, we’re happy about the bright possibilities in his future. Matt’s last day at Y Guides will be Sept. 30.

Don’t worry. Y Guides will be in the capable hands of Andrew “Golden Otter” Crook, Abby “Red Fox” Van Noppen and Tim "Yeti" Whitehouse.

The Y Guides calendar is packed with fun events in the next few weeks. We’re looking forward to our third Rockmont weekend, Sept. 9 – 11. More than 1,000 folks are signed up for our Stop Hunger Now Meal packaging event on Sept. 11. And, Fall Outings are just around the corner.

If you have any questions, just contact our team at how-how@arapahoe-nation.org. Please join us in congratulating him on Facebook.

To Matt, and to you, may the Great Spirit make the sun rise in your heart.

How-How!

CAMP SEAFARER & CAMP SEA GULL: AFTER THE STORM

Camp Sea Gull for Boys and Camp Seafarer for girls are the YMCA of the Triangle's overnight camps located on the North Carolina Coast.

What a difference a week makes!

As Hurricane Irene pounded areas along the North Carolina coast, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer staff were already planning for cleanup and recovery. 

Camp during the hurricane

Professional tree removal crews, engineers and contractors were dispatched to the area. Camp staff worked extra hours securing the property. After all, this is a special place for folks all around the nation. Just take a look at the progress they made in a few days.

Hurricane cleanup

Many of our Camp staff saw significant damage to their own homes. Yet, they’ve been more concerned about their neighbors and the community at large.

In fact, National Guard units set up camp at Seafarer on Monday.

“They just wanted a place to sleep and take a shower,” said Sarah Rhymer, Director of Community Programs for Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer. “They were so grateful.”

National Guard at Camp Seafarer

Since then, a number of groups have asked for our assistance. And, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer staff are very excited about the possibilities.

We'll keep you posted.