Y community members are the heartbeat of the Y. They are the reason we exist and happily, they come in all shapes, sizes, races, ages and genders, just like the overall community itself. We both serve and celebrate them, and in return, they individually and collectively make up the rich tapestry of our Y.
One of the things we do for Y members is that we send them a birthday greeting every year. Orokawa Y member John Eubank turned 75 years young on Saturday, here was his reaction:
“The Y sent me a birthday announcement today. My favorite place to visit, three days a week, truly cares for me.”
The news of the day can often be overwhelmingly sad and challenging. Whether it’s Russia’s assault on Ukraine, daily violence and senseless killings in our country and community, or ongoing economic uncertainty, to name just a few of the things our minds and hearts have to absorb every day, it is understandable that anxiety levels are high. While the Y obviously can’t solve these issues, what we can do is be the antidote to indifference and a recurring reminder of the humanity which binds us together. When we see and experience community at the Y, we recognize that engaging with one another in a civil and supportive manner really does matter and, in fact, is critically important to our mental well-being.
So, happy birthday, John Eubank! We celebrate you, and we recognize you as a supremely valuable part of the Y community. We are enriched by your and every member’s engagement.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland