Member Update 5/28/20

Dear Sherman Lake YMCA Family,

We have been hoping for promising news for this summer – for some indicators that our lives would regain certainty and routine as we make our way into our new normal. This new normal, we hoped, would include camp this summer. Sadly, based on the evolving information available to us from health and camp experts, we know that any programs we would be able to run would be vastly different from what we have done in the past. With this in mind, we have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel all traditional summer camp programs for 2020. While we are saddened and disappointed with this decision, we know it was the right one for us.

While we will be cancelling all traditional summer camp programming, we are working to find ways to serve our community during this difficult time. We will continue our current emergency relief efforts - preparing 1,200+ meals a day which are distributed across the Kalamazoo area, providing fresh food boxes on Friday for families in need here and around Sherman Lake and working with the American Red Cross providing emergency blood donations - for as long as they are needed.

We are also hard at work preparing for the time when we can safely welcome everyone back to the Recreation Center at the YMCA. We have created a master plan, which is continuously being updated, and follows the guidance of local, state and federal authorities as well as the shared experience of other Y's that have already opened. As always, the safety of our staff and our members is our number one priority. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Until then, stay safe and be well.

Zach Klipsch, CEO
Sherman Lake YMCA

WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW

Hosting Blood Drives.

The Sherman Lake YMCA will be hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, June 9 from 10:00am-3:45pm. The event is open to the community and anyone 16 years of age or older is eligible to donate.

Donors can schedule their appointment online through the Red Cross scheduling system at www.redcrossblood.org. To support social distancing, appointments are now required.

Providing 1,200 meals daily for Kalamazoo County families.

Our partnership with the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo continues as our staff prepares 1,200 meals daily that are delivered to daily to six different locations around Kalamazoo county.

Your continued support ensures we can continue this critical community work. Please CLICK HERE to make a donation to our COVID-19 Response Fund.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

• Stay with us. Continue paying membership dues normally, to enable the Y to expand our efforts to help our community during this difficult time.

• Make a donation. We can’t do it alone…we need you beside us. Please consider making a gift to the Sherman Lake YMCA to help ensure we have the resources necessary to deliver these critically needed services.

• Donate blood. As the Coronavirus pandemic has grown in the US, there have been many blood drive cancellations. The American Red Cross needs healthy donors to schedule an appointment to give. Click here to schedule a time to donate.