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ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS The Y-MEWSA Fund Development Committee has celebrated a resounding success, exceeding their 2023 Annual Campaign goal of $400,000. The accomplishment is a testament to the dedication of many, including key leaders Board Member Paul Edgcomb and committee members Lorraine Mulligan, Jay Elliot and Rachael Masturzo and well as board members and staff campaigners. Through meticulous planning and dedicated teamwork, these funds will have a significant impact on the community and those Y-MEWSA serves. Recently, the Golf Outing and Tot Trot events were not only successful but also instrumental in raising funds for children's camps and essential childcare services. Looking ahead, preparations for the 2024 campaign, starting with the staff campaign, are already underway. The staff's previous collective fundraising achievement of nearly $40,000 reflects their commendable commitment to the cause. Exciting year-end activities, including the iconic NYC Marathon, a Y26 Day Wellness Challenge and Generosity Tuesday campaign, are expected to raise over $15,000. Coupled with staff and board campaigns, Y-MEWSA aims to raise nearly $100,000 by the end of 2023. The Fund Development Committee extends its gratitude for the hard work and dedication of all involved, emphasizing the lasting impact they are collectively making in the community. We would like to specially thank Paul Edgcomb, pictured here, for leading this remarkable 2023 campaign to success. Thank you, Paul for your tireless work and dedication to the YMCA. If you would like to be a part of our ongoing success, come join us for our next Fund Development Committee Meeting on January 9 at 5pm at the Association Office. All are welcome!
COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE 2024 KICKOFF Join us for a special kickoff event, Cocktails for a Cause, on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Hailey’s Harp & Pub (400 Main Street). Want to see a Y Staff Member be your guest bartender for the evening? Nominate them by clicking here. Page 2
2023 RICHARD HALE MEMORIAL CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC In a remarkable show of community support, the 2023 Richard Hale Memorial YMCA Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $73,000 for the YMCA of Metuchen, Woodbridge, Edison, and South Amboy. These funds will go towards the Send A Kid to Camp Summer Scholarship Fund, providing children with the opportunity to experience the lasting impact of YMCA summer camp. We extend our appreciation to our dedicated board members and generous donors who participated, contributed or helped procure auction items, and those who provided wine and/or joined us for dinner (see the impressive list on the following page). Your support is invaluable and has created the opportunity for more than 300 children to benefit from lifechanging summer camp! For more photos of the event, click HERE.
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THANK YOU TO OUR GOLF SPONSORS Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center Halecon Navigation Consulting Manasquan Bank Barton Nursery Joe Colasanti, Morgan Stanley Brighton Gardens Federal Business Centers Costello-Runyon Funeral Homes Divinity Cleaning Services First Choice Heating and Air Conditioning Ideal CDR, Construction, Design and Remodeling Izzi Trucking and Rigging, Inc. Raritan Bay YMCA Reydel Volkswagen of Edison ISSI, Inc Hailey’s Harp and Pub Amboy Bank Barton Nursery Center State Engineering LaPorta Builders Mattco Plumbing and Heating
Gary Ostermueller Son-Rise Document Solutions Trap Rock Industries Acrisure (Reliance Insurance) AJ Jersey Bill’s Ineffable Automotive Rehabilitation Grotto Engineering Hughes Environmental Engineering James P. Nolan & Associates Jersey Mike's Magyar Bank Manasquan Bank Metuchen PBA Middlesex Water Joan Thiel Withum
Auction Donors Karen Alexander Avenel Performing Arts Center Beans and Bread Bradford Portraits Buy Rite Liquor Store Catherine Lombardi Che Pizza Joe Costello CVS Dick's Sporting Goods Jay Elliot Five Iron Golf Fords Jewelry Frog and the Peach Fusha Asian Bistro and Sushi Galloping Hill Golf Club Glass Roots Golf Cave Golf Tech Thomas Lankey LouCas Mangia Toscana Medieval Times Metuchen Branch YMCA Metuchen Golf & Country Club
Metuchen Inn New Nails NJ Performing Arts Center NY Giants NY Jets NY Rangers Oakley Alex Reisig Rutgers Athletics Jason Shao Somerset Patriots Stage Left State Island Ferry Hawks State Theatre New Jersey Sylvia's Tailoring Shelley Telson Chrissy Tolley True Food Kitchen What's the Scoop Whole Foods YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center YMCA OF MEWSA
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Wine & Spirits Donors Katie Barnes Letitia Coughlin Melinda DiBenedetto Paul Edgcomb Jay Elliot Glenn Gawronski Mike Lackland Craig Levine Katherine Liss Seema Pande Tyreen Reuter Erin Siemers Jason Shao Amie Thornton Shelly Telson Saimma Venky
ANNUAL TOT TROT & FALL FESTIVAL The 2023 YMCA's Tot-Trot and Family Run was a blast. We had a record breaking turnout on October 9th at the Metuchen High School, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Click HERE to check out more great photos from this wonderful day! We had a fantastic turnout with 239 runners, and we raised over $12,000, which is beyond amazing. Your support is like a warm hug for local families in need. By backing the Tot Trot, you've shown that you care about kids and families. These
events bring parents and kids closer, making our communities stronger, and we love creating smiles! Your donations make it possible for more families to get affordable child care and be part of the YMCA family. We're all about welcoming everyone, no matter their background or financial circumstances. We can't wait to see you again next year, making even more magic together! -The YMCA Child Care Team (see following page for sponsors and more
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THANK YOU TO OUR TOT TROT SPONSORS Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center Manasquan Bank Jan Pro of Central NJ Bill's Ineffable Auto Rehabilitation Coppola's Garden Center Rose and Bob Cushing Donato Orthodontic Specialist, P.C. Fun Key Fitness LLC Galkin Orthodontics George Pezet Menlo Pizza Metuchen Pediatric Dentistry Family Sponsors Juliana and Emilia DeBiase Gustavo and Jorge Fuertes-Banerjee The Heian—Shao Family The Jean Family The Johnson Family The Logarzo Family The Martinez Family The McCabe Family The Myers Family The Schleif Family The Williams Family In Kind Donors Metuchen High School Wegmans Metuchen EMS Metuchen Police Department Middlesex Fire Academy Montclair Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Rutgers School of Nursing Students
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AMY KRYSIENSKI YMCA OF MEWSA BOARD
MAGYAR BANK $2500 GRANT
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NYC MARATHON RUNNERS SUPPORT YMCA OF MEWSA On November 5, five runners went the distance to support the YMCA of MEWSA by completing the prestigious New York City Marathon, conquering 26.2 challenging miles while raising funds to support our Annual Support Campaign. A sixth runner, unable to participate due to an injury, continued to raise money in advance of their participation in 2024. Together, these six individuals have raised over $26,000 to bolster the Annual Support Campaign, which plays a pivotal role in providing essential resources to our community. Their efforts highlight the true spirit of the YMCA, where community members come together to make a positive impact.
2023 Runners
Jim Betz – Community Member
Annie Cushing-Klarich – Y Childcare Alum and
Parent
Nate Hamm – Community Member
Christine Su – Piscataway YMCA Member
Pat Walsh – South Amboy Member and Branch Board Member
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DIWALI CELEBRATION EDISON CAMPUS
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HALLOWEEN IN SOUTH AMBOY
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TOGETHERHOOD UPDATE Through blood drives, ESL, food security, and green initiatives Togetherhood is contributing caring and committed leadership, engaging in meaningful partnerships, and attracting volunteers to support our communities - Thank you! Please spread the word and reach out to Christine Tolley and Marisha Wignaraja, if you are able to join a committee, host a neighborhood street drive, join an event etc. Examples of Togetherhood Fall activities, include:
October Blood Drive
Blood Drives - The Y’s October Blood Drive with New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) collected 59 units of blood, which can potentially save 177 lives. There 59 units of blood were 51 donors and 9 volunteers who worked 19.5 hours, including during the pre-drive by making reminder calls to pre-registered donors, and on the day of 51 donors 9 volunteers the drive, checking in donors at the lobby desk and helping donors at the 19.5 volunteer canteen. The next drive is set for Tuesday, December 26, from 2-6:30 PM. For hours this Holiday Drive, lead Katherine Liss and the Togetherhood team will be making a special appeal to young adults who will be home celebrating with family, and to high school students, 16 years and older, to roll up their sleeves to save a life.
ESL
ESL - The Y Sit and Talk ESL class is in its 8th week with an average of 12-14 students in each class. Togetherhood ESL lead Kathy Higgins, joins veteran 12-14 volunteer instructors Janice Donnola and Adam Fensterheim every Friday morning at Students the Metuchen Y from 9:30am to 11am to share their knowledge of English with Volunteer Instructors enthusiastic participants. Topics include family time, holiday celebrations, reading short passages aloud and much more. All are welcome (you don’t have to be a Y member, but registration with the Y is required).
Food Security
Food Security - To date we have donated 2,402 items as well as $110 to the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen (FPCM) Food Pantry. To increase 2402 items collected donations, our food drive lead, Rich Husar, and Y staff are asking members year-to-date for local to bring donations to key Y events (please see the example in Green food banks High Need Season Initiatives below). Given the high need during the holidays, we are also Approaching encouraging neighborhood street drives. Please contact Marisha at mwignaraja@yahoo.com if you are interested in organizing a street drive in your neighborhood (we can share tips for running street drives and an example of a flyer to share with neighbors). Lorraine LeSter, Togetherhood liaison to the FPCM Food Pantry, shared that 10 percent of proceeds from a week-long art exhibit titled “Forgiveness” at FPCM will be donated to the Food Pantry. In addition to serving clients in-person, Y member volunteers work with the Food Pantry to deliver food to clients who are not mobile. Green Initiatives - In partnership with the Middlesex Greenway Coalition (MGC), we organized a Greenway Eco Walk and tour of the Metuchen Y on Sunday, November 5. The purpose of this effort is to grow community by Partnering with the encouraging folks to exercise, enjoy the outdoors and stay healthy, with MGC Greenway users learning about the Y and Y members learning about the New Team Members Greenway. Participants were encouraged to bring a donation of shelf-ready Welcome food or household items for the FPCM Food Pantry. Green Initiatives lead, Eunice Salton, organized this effort with Walter Stochel of the MGC. If you are interested in joining futures Walks or the Y Green Initiatives team, please contact Eunice at eunsalton@gmail.com.
Green Initiatives
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STAFFING NEWS ASHLEY AMOS METUCHEN BRANCH
DAN HONTZ YPCC
KYLE STROHMAN ALEXIS KORSAK OPERATIONS SOUTH AMBOY
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CAMP MEMORIES South Amboy Branch
Summer may be over, but it’s always the right season to appreciate the positive impact our Summer Camps have on our community’s children.
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In September, "Chompster" and a dental hygienist from KidzDent in Old Bridge came to visit Harborview Early Learning Center to teach the children how to keep their teeth healthy.
Thank you, Boyt Drugs Pharmacy, for providing Flu Shots at the Metuchen Branch to keep our community healthy and safe.
During Welcoming Week, Tracy Nunez hosted a Spin Around the World Spin Class. The music selections were chosen from pop culture around the world.
The YMCA of MEWSA Membership Department Advancement Team held two trainings for our front-line staff on customer service and creating a member-first culture to serve our community better.
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YMCA Staff attended a Trunk -or-Treat to talk to families about programs and memberships. They decorated with a Barbie theme and even had a life-size Barbie box for photos!
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness and in honor of all those affected by the disease, the Metuchen Branch participated in Paint the Y Pink Day.
A night of Line Dancing was held at the Metuchen Branch. It was great evening of fun, fitness, and friendships with everyone showing off their dancing skills and western wear.
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UPCOMING EVENTS BLOOD DRIVE
December 26
Feb 8
2024
Hailey’s Harp
Metuchen Branch
HOLIDAY SWAG SHOP
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November 2023 Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
2
3 8am-IT Committee 9am—Property Committee
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7
8
9
10
6pm-DEI Committee
13
20
14
15
16
5pm-Fund Development Committee
8am-Metuchen Branch 6pm-Finance Committee
5:30pm-Edison Branch
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22
23
6:30pm-South Amboy Branch
27
28
17
24
Thanksgiving
29
30
6pm-Board of Directors (5:30pm Fellowship)
December 2023 Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1 4
5
6
7
8
14
15
5:30pm-Board Governance 6pm-Childcare Services
11
12
13 6pm-Board Holiday Dinner
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20
21
22
25
26
27
28
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