Welcome everybody to Midday magazine for this Tuesday August 6th, 2024. Have your host James here and we're joining
Being joined right now by our great friend Aaron Hess from the South of County YMCA. Aaron always good to see you
Thank you. It's always great to be here
Love the time love hanging out with you, and it's just us today
So we get to really let it all I got we get to really have fun. Yeah, I'm gonna get my words out today
Aaron I you guys have so many awesome events coming up and some other things that are to offer the community that we don't always get a
Chance of touch on we will today, but if you don't mind. I'd like to rewind a little bit
You guys just wrapped off your golf your big golf outing. How did that go?
You know it went it went very well
You know Stephanie Land was a is our community dance coordinator as she put on a great show
We had 30 golf teams this year, which is a record for us and yeah, and they all showed up it rained here and there
But it wasn't terrible and I mean so whether wise it was it was good whether wise
We don't have the numbers yet for how much we're able to fundraise that goes towards our annual campaign
Which again supports are being able to scholarship membership so that we can base it on income
But so we don't know that number yet, but we had such a great turn out
We are so appreciative the number of businesses in this area that
Sponsored this event, you know, we've got Myron and Solaris and a street auto and so many
Sky Club from Sevens Point, you know, we they just you know from all over the place
We have so many great sponsors and by and you can go to our website and you can see who our sponsors are because
You know without them, you know, we wouldn't be able to put on so many great events and they contribute so much towards our annual campaign as well
So so yes, just go to our website if you I believe it's a little to have this as more. Yes. Yeah. Yeah
Yeah, go there and check it out. It's not only a fantastic website that has all the information you could need there
But it's a great way to catch up on things like that to see some of that and to see some of those that support those support us
Support our nonprofits. We've got a one of the we've got a community that really steps up and and really shows up for these things
100% I mean the amount of support that we get not only for the why but then of course with the boys and girls club
I mean, it's just yeah, this community is fantastic and it's something to keep in mind too when we're talking about you know
A past event like the golf outing that you can plan for next year already if you're a business or somebody out there
You can already start getting ahead of those things
But also some of the other events we talk about too where so much of the funds raised are able to help
Different things and different programs at the why offer but especially the scholarship program
Which I every time you guys join us I want to make sure we note this because I think it's one of the cooler things that
Not only you guys do but our community has we have this beautiful wonderful new facility of the why right here in rapids
That thing is a I cannot take my eyes off at any time I pass it and love that building
I love the inside of that building I love the people in that building
We want everybody in this community that that can or wants to be able to take be a member there to be a member
Regardless of what your income is these outings these programs these things help us to be able to do that at the why oh my gosh
100% so this is where you know
You know the businesses in this area. Yes, of course they're fantastic our members are fantastic, you know, we
As far as you know joining the why you with our membership for all program
We we try to keep it as simple as possible
So if you're interested, you know and getting a membership and financially things are just really tight right now
You know, just stop on over and pick up we have like these paper applications that you can grab
You don't have to make an appointment and I know and we we we had we did go the appointment route for a while there because
You know for us. It's about relationship building so for the appointment
It wasn't necessarily to be an inconvenience, but rather it gives our staff the opportunity to get to know you better
Make you feel more comfortable coming into the why and confident using the facility knowing that you've got
If you've got some friends hanging around that are willing to jump in and help you out and what we're finding is for some
You know making those appointments is pretty inconvenient because we a lot of people are busy these days are here
They're in everywhere so you know pick up that paper application
Just you know you're just going to fill out a few things and bring it back and and we can make it painless and and
Convenient for you, but you know
So this is just and it just goes back to how we're consistently looking for ways to get more people in our doors
Not necessarily because we want to have the most numbers and brag about that
But more so so that we can be that solid support in this community because that is what the why is about and that's what sets us apart from
Other gyms is that it's about community support. We're not just a gym and swim
It's about how do we how do we give back everyone most so many in this community give to us
So it's being intentional on how we can give back because that's that's what we ought to be doing
It's it's one of those kind of oftentimes gray areas in our society where we don't cover very much
But the why is making sure to cover where if there is a family out there
There's a person out there that wants to better their health or wants to exercise
So just get out of the house and have some fun and get in some of these activities
You know being able to do that in our community. That's a possibility no matter who's listening to this
That's a possibility for you
That's pretty cool to be able to say to be able to offer and everything
And we're able to do because of these programs and these great things that are offered by the why and and that those questions
Those things that you're asked that's more data for the why to be able to do good work in this community and overall
Not just our why but why's around the country
So that stuff goes a long way and I appreciate you kind of breaking that down for us here and that that's very helpful
If you can if you don't mind I want to break this down to with you the bridge to bridge 5k 2 mile fun run
Yes, you guys you can still sign up for this. It's a great event
So we've got a couple options. You can do a 5k which is three miles or you can do a two mile
So they're both row it's in there. It's literally the bridge to bridge and
It's so it's a very safe course. It's a very family-friendly course
I don't know how many years we have people that bring their dogs and you know
It's just have a great time. Yes
There are some people that want to be competitive especially in that 5k get their best time and
Of course, there's always room for that and what we love about this event is that
You know it it should be fun. Yeah, it should be inclusive and so that's why this year
We brought in the two-mile option because for some you know three miles just is too long but two miles might be just right or maybe
two miles is
That challenge that you want but it's not too large of a challenge. Yeah, so
You know, so again, it's it's how do we make this as family-friendly and
Inclusive as we can so we get you know as many people as possible to jump in have a great time at the event and
You know what maybe meet some new people. Yeah, I mean there's there's one of the key things to this
I think is over the years that this event has gone on
I've had many people come in here and talk to them about this not just why members
But people from all random sorts of jobs and different things and talking about how much they enjoyed this event
And there's a couple of noteworthy things about it. Certainly getting out there being out in nature being out in up in our town and getting out and doing stuff
That's always fun
People love being able to put back into a cause and a good one at that and the shirts people like the shirts
They do like those yeah, they collect them
But it is that camaraderie is is that running into people that they haven't seen in a year or two or or new people that they haven't met before
Businesses being able to while they're taking this walk talking to another business and seeing hey
Wait a minute, maybe we can partner up here and do something together or maybe we can work with the wire that the
So much of that that happens organically that you can't really plan for in life that happen at events like this
Yeah, I mean the networking that goes on or you know, and then you realize how small of a world this is next time
I mean you're walking next to someone and then you realize oh my goodness
You're married to my co-worker or you're the cousin of this person. So it's it's it's amazing how many fun stories come out of these events
This all kicks off Saturday August 17th check in starts at seven the National Anthem starts at 8.30
Race starts following the National Anthem the 5k race awards ceremony will start around 9.30 a.m
Medals will be given to the first place finishers and the 5k for each gender and age
Category and ages 13 and under 14 to 19 and so on and so on and
Custom award given to the top overall male and female winner. That is pretty cool, too. Yeah, yeah, all of that means I will not be getting one of those
And again, you and me both and again the race staging area will be on 2nd Street South in between first Congressional Church and the East River Bank
Conservancy so yeah, keep that in mind as well a big thank you to all those business those places for hosting and being able to have some of this there
And it's an important note that you mentioned earlier to Aaron when it comes to this because
While we welcome everybody to this. I know that over years past. I've talked to like J. R. C.
We're about this
This can oftentimes be something for people like
Finding out if you can be a marathon winner or you can be somebody that can do those kind of things
So we will certainly do welcome that as well to people that want to do that
Yep as much as just having a good time of being out in public and getting a new shirt
There's all of the above. There's no bad answer here. All of this is okay
There's zero bad answers and I know the deadline for the t-shirt has passed. However, we did order extras
So you know if you if you're hoping to get that t-shirt
You're there's still a chance that you can get it we do order. Yeah, there's a chance
And and if you can't get a shirt buy a Y shirt because uh, yeah
It's a great way to not only advertise this event and other events
But you're promoting your local nonprofit your Y here in town people see you in that shirt
And they they immediately think of the Y and maybe they have a membership. Maybe they don't
Maybe it's been a while since they've been there and checked it out. It's all things to think about
Absolutely
We're speaking we're speaking with Aaron has our good friend from the South of County YMCA and Aaron
It is still you know, we still got some summer here. We still got you sports going on
Yep, we got you sports. We still have camp going on
Uh, in fact that just came here from camp
So we have we're in week nine
So that means we have weeks 10 11 and 12 coming up
So if you're still interested in camp next week for week 10 they are taking that trip over to the aquatic center
So you'll get to spend there afternoon at the aquatic center. That's cool
Yeah, yeah, so you know backstreet aren't of course is our camp director and he's doing just a fantastic job
Out there. So if you have kids and you're and they want you know, let's say let's say you're working and you're needing help finding
Stuff for your kids to do or you just need a safe place for them to grow
And be taken care of camp is such a fantastic option. I mean from the waterfront from fishing to archery to
Dodgeball to crafts. I mean, there is just it's it's 30 acres of a wonderland
out there and and a well-ran wonderland. So you don't have to worry about your kids safety
We've got such great camp counselors and and backstreet out there
So we've got three weeks that you guys can still sign up for still got time. Yep. You can still wear those kids out
Yes, yes, and and man to say that like if anything else you said didn't catch anybody's attention
That sure did call my attention to my kids are in their 20s
Nothing better than being able to pick up your kids from camp and have them fall asleep in the back seat as you
Joyful you're so right. Oh
The relief that just hit so many of us when you even said that yeah, yeah
And and knowing not only are they safe not only are they getting that energy out and everything
But they may be learning some things maybe making new friends. Yep. They're they're just isn't enough opportunities for kids
Like that in our society here are some great ones and I do want to send a shout out to backstreet
He's joined us a couple of times on the air and really does a great job over there with these kids
He's really made it perfectly made for this job. He lives in breeze camp. I mean he's I mean
He's been going to camp since he was such a little kid himself and so he
Yeah, yeah, so he has a great understanding of that and and Aaron did a nice job of really covering the bases when it comes to
You sports and youth activities at the Y if you if your kid is into it, they've got it
I mean there's so many different things over there
Well, you've got your traditional stuff and everything. There's archery. There's other programs over there available for kids
And I and I would mention as well and backstreet brought this up before I think you have two Aaron if there is
Something that the Y isn't offering will reach out to the Y and find out
Maybe that's a new program that the Y could offer or look into or something. It can't hurt
Um, if there is a gray area the Y wants to wants to know about it wants to be able to possibly cover it if they can
Absolutely, if there's something that this community is missing
You know, so the Y we're all about how do we how do we complement things?
So it's not necessarily about how can we compete
especially if there's something offered in the area that let's say the city is running really well
Parks and Rec whatever if they're running something really well
There's no there's no need for us to to compete really but rather how do we complement and how do we maybe offer those programs that
No one else is offering, but we know we could offer and we could offer it really well
So but we can't think of all these things ourselves either. So this is where we love feedback
We love fun ideas because you know, let's be honest. We're not always we're gonna
We're not gonna think of all of them. No, and that's one of the cool things
I think that we have with our Y is is that I think that's one of the more important things
Just in general going forward is people that don't pretend that they know everything
You know, that's always nice. I respect that a lot
I think that smartest people I've ever known are people that know they don't know everything
So that's a really helpful I think and it also expands so many of the options at the Y and more and more people being able to
Take you to the services over there. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, there are a lot of great summer activities for you and the kids
Be sure to check them out at the YMCA's website SWCYMC.org and be sure to follow them on social media
I Aaron I don't expect you to know this about me, but I am a huge Olympic fan a gigantic Olympic fan
While I'm talking to you right now in my head the chant USA is going on
That I I'm just dying for talking Olympics at any opportunity I have and you guys got summer Olympics over there
That's kind of cool. Yeah, this is so this is brand new
Jacob
Clackowicz
I saw pause that's a good tough one. That's a tough one. I still pause. I see his last name. So we'll see if he's listening
So he's our new healthy living director and this is something. This is a brand new
Event that we're that we're starting. So it is August 26 from 5 to 7 30
And we've just got some really fun events for kids to participate in and kind of get some medals and get some
Some fun fun gear when they finish. So anything from volleyball little track and field. There's pool events
Basketball of course floor hockey. So I mean just some really fun events to
Get your kids engaged and maybe some fun sports that maybe they haven't done before
And maybe it's a great way to end summer before kids have to start going back to school
Which is that reality check that maybe
Not everyone else. Yeah, yeah
So really it's a good nice wrap to summer. It's especially this time of year or this year in particular with the Olympics going on
There there's so much well we're even seeing from the ratings
There's more people than ever watching the Olympics this year and taking it in
This event is is something kids can sign up for? Is this something that they need to register for?
Yep, we want we so we want kids to register for them
So it's like five dollars a kid adults your adults can participate or you can be with your kids
You don't have so we're not charging adults for so just the kids that'll need to pay
But like I said, you know if you want to if you want to be with your little one while they compete through the events
You are so welcome to do that and yeah, and it's held right about right at our rapid locations
So everything will be there and
Yeah, just just a fun event. So not a lot of pressure
You know learn a new sport or maybe you know the sport and you want to see how well you're going to do at it
Yeah, yeah, what is the date for the event again?
August 26th all right from five to seven thirty p.m
We'll be promoting that on our morning shows and such and we'll make sure they get a good turnout for that
And uh make sure that these kids have a real fun time with it as well. That's that's going to be a blast
Looking forward to it. It's got to be a fun memory. Yeah, yeah
And who knows might be creating future Olympians with this so who knows, you know, man never know
Oh, yeah, I did want to wrap up Aaron if you don't mind covering some that we don't always get a chance to you
And I've when we get together
There are so many cool events going on with the why no matter what time of year you join us
There's all these great classes and programs. We've got multiple wise to talk about. There's a lot there
I don't feel like I do a great job as an interviewer covering this enough because I think it's very cool that you guys can have the off
The offerings of renting camp Alexander or having birthday parties at the Y man
I wish I was 13 again because I would love to have my birthday at the Y. That sounds like a lot of fun
Right
I wanted to make sure to mention these that they are open to the public that you can do these things absolutely
Yeah, so even if if you're not a Y member, you're able to rent camp Alexander
You're able to rent you know parts of the Y for birthday party
I know when we initially opened during the COVID we didn't have the birthday party option and last year we brought it back to life
so you can have your
teaching kitchens
slash pool parties so you have access to the teaching kitchen for the cake and the ice cream all it's up
And kids can wear out some energy in the pool. So that's a great option
And then you have somewhere maybe they don't want the pool, but they want the adventure center with the slide and all the toys and the games
So you can have access to our conference room
Which has a door that goes directly to the adventure center
So what a fun space for kids and families to come and their one roof have a great birthday party and
You're saving yourself from having to clean your house before and after. I mean you can't it doesn't get any better
That is a world-class answer right there. Oh, that you just hit it right there anything else you said that last part really good
It hit home for a lot of us. Yep. Yep
And and it's such a unique opportunity too
I think of when I think of a lot of places people have rented out or had their kids' birthday parties at and everything
I don't hear the why brought up nearly enough when it's such a perfect place for it
It's safe. It's controlled and controlled environment
While at the same time having a lot of fun and opportunities for kids and and many different options for kids to be able to take in and do
And again, I don't want it to be lost on anybody
We are getting kids more and more comfortable with the why and maybe making as adults being why members and supporting the why
We want that. I make no bones about that. We want future why members
We want future people putting into our why that puts into our community and being you know a great community members
Yeah, and again camp Alexander's beautiful as Aaron was talking about earlier and everything. It's such a great place
Getting the rent that out is a pretty cool option as well. Absolutely
We have weddings out there. We have family reunions. We have
Ladies that come over that want they have a crafting club. They'll rent it for the weekend and they have the whole weekend of scrapbooking and
So you name it the the reason behind renting that I mean there's so many of them
Oh, yeah, when you rent camp Alexander you get the entire camp. So you've got all of the lodges so
Plenty of room for sleeping and then you've got luster hall, which is where you know the main event takes place
And then of course you cut that beautiful waterfront
Property so if you have people that want to hike for a bit or go fishing or whatnot
There's just so many options out there that you know renting out there is just it's just a fantastic. Yeah
I kind of want to rent it just for myself
Yeah, I kind of like selfishly. I just I just want the whole camp to my side. That's beautiful out there
You've got better ideas than that reach out to Stephanie Lund community events coordinator to find out more about renting camp Alexander
Having your birthday party at the Y you can reach Stephanie at 715 818
6012 that's 715 818 6012 or email her s lund at SWC ymca.org
S lund at SWC ymca.org and keep in mind you can find out about all of this and register for events like bridge to bridge or
Anything else at their website SWC ymca.org
And again the bridge to bridge 5k 2 mile fun run is coming up Saturday, August 17th
That is the big one right around the corner everybody register get signed up for this
And and we'll meet you out there on the run. We'll meet you at the bridges
Yes, exactly
Aaron always appreciate the time. Thank you so much for joining us if people have follow questions
Wanting them more or reach out to you send them to the website. Is there a phone number? Yep
You can send them to the website they get you're always welcome to call our main lines 715 818
9622 and if you ever want to talk with me, you know
You can go on our website and you can find my contact information there too
So you're welcome you're always welcome to reach out to anyone if there's an email on a phone number use it
Yeah, well said. Yeah, and keep in mind
We also encourage you to follow the why on social media
It's a great way to keep up the date on current things with the why and also spread these events on your social media pages
You just never know who might see it who wouldn't otherwise. Absolutely. Thanks again for the time Aaron appreciate you
We'll have more midday magazine coming up for you here at 97 5 FM 13 20 AM WF HR. We are locally grown radio