This year has been a year like no other.
We’ve battled a global pandemic, endured a financial recession, struggled to mend racial divides, battled wildfires, withstood a hit from a Category 2 hurricane (complete with runaway barges and damaged bridges), and navigated a contentious election. It’s enough to make anyone want to just curl up under the covers until 2020 ends.
And yet, in the face of so much turmoil and challenge, our YMCA – like so many other local nonprofits – has stood strong to meet the needs of our neighbors. We’ve weathered the storms of 2020 because of the efforts of our staff, our board, our donors, our volunteers, and our collaborative partners.
Through combined efforts, we’ve managed to do a lot of good amid the pain of this year:
- When COVID-19 shut down our community last spring, your local Y provided emergency childcare healthcare workers, first responders and other essential personnel.
- We partnered with The Council on Aging to deliver more than 1,000 meals to homebound seniors during the shutdown, using new vans acquired from a Pensacola Bay IMPACT 100 grant.
- When we were given the green light to open our doors after a two-month shutdown, we met the challenge of re-inventing our YMCAs – doubling down on sanitizing protocols, spacing equipment, wearing masks, setting capacity limits, and enforcing social distancing – all part of our commitment to create the safest possible environment for members to keep their bodies moving and their social connections alive.
- We served 13 children with special needs through our Diverse Abilities Swim Program, funded by The Studer Foundation. Half of these youth were able to transition to group lessons or more advanced aquatic programs.
- We’ve hosted multiple blood drives at both branches for One Blood.
- We’ve delivered countless fitness classes virtually to continue reaching members who aren’t quite ready to return in person. For those who were ready, we brought back classes with protocols and systems to stay safe.
- We managed the Hunter Pool and Roger Scott Pool again for the city. Combined with our branch pools, these provided one of the few safe recreational activities that area families could enjoy together. We ended the city pool season with our Lifeguard Games, giving our staff a chance to show off their skills in a good-natured competition.
- In the days after Hurricane Sally struck our area, we provided hot showers and overnight accommodations at the Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA to 300 linemen who were working overtime to restore power to our community.
- We held a socially distanced Trunk or Treat at the Pullum Y and our second annual Pumpkin Dunk at the Bear Levin Studer Y. Then we held a Dog Paddle Day before we closed the Pullum pool for the season.
- We’ve recently entered into an agreement with Gulf Breeze Aerobics & Fitness in a creative collaboration to help meet the needs of our members and theirs through a reciprocal membership.
Yes, it’s been a tough year. But our Y has found ample opportunities to continue serving – opportunities that have resulted in bright spots that we can celebrate.
As this crazy year winds down, we hope you and your family also have some bright spots to celebrate. The next few months are likely to continue bringing challenges our way, but spring isn’t that far off. And with spring comes new life, fresh hope and the chance for even more bright spots.
Your YMCA will be here, as we have throughout 2020. Thanks for staying with us along the journey.