Building Character. Building Communities.
A 25th Anniversary Campaign for the
Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center

ONE LIFE AT A TIME…EVERY TIME

Since the very beginning, the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center has focused on character. We believe that building a culture of character creates a stronger child, which leads to stronger schools and communities. Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility (HCRR) are the core values that the Sherman Lake YMCA lives by and believes in.

In 2019, the Sherman Lake YMCA celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. We have impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals since our inception in 1994, and we seek to broaden that impact in the future. We want to serve more children, families and individuals - building character that will extend into our communities. Although we have seen many successes in our twenty-five years, we want to continue the legacy that started the Sherman Lake YMCA; the legacy of forward thinking, big vision embracing, innovation and servant leadership. It is as vital to our future as it has been to our past.

The 25th anniversary campaign is divided into four major areas of development:

Featured
NEW FACILITY INVESTMENT
NEW FACILITY INVESTMENT

Creating spaces that draw out the imagination of children enables us to compete with today’s technology. Sleeping amongst the trees and flying through the sky on a high ropes course are activities most children see only on screens. Providing these experiences at the Sherman Lake YMCA allows us to create a fun and exciting environment that surpasses the screen, all while incorporating our four core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility.

MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT FACILITIES
MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT FACILITIES

‘Like New Forever’ is our mantra. As good stewards of the gifts we receive, campers today will enjoy the same, if not even more magical experiences, of those who were here decades before. Improving our roads and paths ensures all campers, regardless of their physical abilities, can continue to have access to all aspects of the camp experience.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY INVESTMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY INVESTMENT

Responsibility is a core value of our organization. Owning and operating our own solar array will enable us to create a sustainable energy source that will dramatically reduce utility expenses for the organization over the long-term and will also decrease the pollutants we are putting into the environment.

ENDOWMENT
ENDOWMENT

Generations from now, schools, campers, and families will reap the benefits of decisions made long ago. Creating a strong endowment fund allows future generations to benefit from the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center’s innovative programs, scholarship resources, and financial stability.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Thank you to the following individuals who are committed to continuing the legacy that started the Sherman Lake YMCA.

Tom Geil
Bjorn & Lori Green
Scott & Sarah Hamric
Dave & Sonya Labrecque
Mike & Jennifer Odar
Sydney Parfet
Barbara Parish
Vince Pavone
Erin Kittredge Ribitch
Kathy Simpson
Von Washington, Jr.

Rick & Linda Tsoumas, Co-Chairs
Drew & Rachel Worgess, Co-Chairs
Chris Christ, Honorary Chair
Don & Ann Parfet, Honorary Chairs
Jack Wattles, Honorary Chair
Luke & Diahnn Austenfeld
Sarah Avink
Elyse Brey
Charlie & Anne Burnham
Pat Coles-Chalmers
John & Lynne Chipman

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

The Sherman Lake YMCA’s 25th Anniversary campaign is seeking $2.5 million in community philanthropy to help renovate our camp, improve our fitness facilities, and secure our long-term future. You can help us achieve this important goal by supporting this campaign through:

  • A one-time cash gift

  • A multiple year pledge commitment (may be paid over a three-year period)

  • A gift of appreciated assets (i.e. stock)

  • An estate gift

This is Y. When you give, you will be helping to impact each life by BUILDING CHARACTER and BUILDING COMMUNITIES.

Donate Online

CONTACT US

To learn more about how you can help our campaign achieve its goals, please contact:

Carrie Hybels, Director of Community Development
269.731.3039
carrieh@ymcasl.org