Make a Difference in Your Community

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The New Year often brings feelings of positive improvement and change – a new year, a time to focus on living a be

tter life and providing support for those around us. As we make our way through the month of January, it’s important to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a pioneer in the world of positive improvement and change, with the celebration of the MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 21.

For over 20 years, the MLK Day of Service has encouraged individuals to volunteer their time to improve their communities. Here at the Northern Middlesex YMCA we’re encouraging everyone to use this day as a call to action to get involved to make our communities better.

Volunteering, regardless if the opportunity is big or small, can make a major impact on those around you and helps to keep our communities and personal relationships strong. Additionally, volunteering may even help you in achieving your goals, giving you the ability to meet new people, try something new, and gain confidence and skills that can be applied to your personal life. At the same time, your act of volunteering can have the same effect on those you are helping and working with together.

Oftentimes, volunteer opportunities benefit those who need it most, including underserved children, families, and adu

lts. Here in Middletown, CT, the Northern Middlesex YMCA relies on volunteers to do everything from serve on our board to running Wesleyan Science Outreach in our afterschool programs. At Camp Ingersoll, many large Spring Projects are completed by a massive team of volunteers from Eversource. YMCA Staff are impacting the lives of youth with their Nationally Recognized You

th Development Work in our Afterschool Kids Korner Programs. Many of the hours dedicated to achieving these outcomes come from staff attending trainings on their own time and giving back to Y programs across the country by leading trainings at the local and national level. Members of the leadership team in all departments put in extra hours to secure grants and awards that fund the cause driven work of the Y in Youth Development, Healthy LIving and Social Responsibility. Parent volunteers make it possible for swimmers on the Barracuda Swim Team to experience healthy competition at home swim meets by volunteering as officials, timers and running the concession stand. Volunteers from the Community and YMCA Staff team volunteer together with the United Way, Community Foundation, Peach Pit Foundation, and other local non profit agencies to serve those in need in our community. Leaders of Middlesex Hospital an

d Y Staff collaborate to support individuals seeking health and wellness after a cancer diagnosis through a National YMCA Community Wellness Program, LIVESTRONG at the Y. Each of our volunteers’ selflessness and willingness to roll up their sleeves to give back helps improve the lives of thousands of kids, adults and families.

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we hope to encourage you to find a program or organization that is meaningful to you and give them a call. We’re grateful for every one of our Y volunteers and we hope you’ll join their ranks

.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Northern Middlesex YMCA, please contact:

Lori Lodge, Director of Fund Develop

ment 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.

bsilliman@midymca.org

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.

csullivan@midymca.org

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.

hchandor@midymca.org

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.

Ndionne@midymca.org