My Y story actually begins with my grandmother- who helped pioneer childcare programs at the Fanwood Scotch-Plains YMCA- and then my mother, with her 43-year legacy as the Membership Director at FSPY. I spent my childhood running around barefoot in the Y, my entire life being shaped by the people I came into contact with. Through my mom's career, I was able to see all of the good that the Y does in the community. We spent time shopping for gifts for less fortunate children for Christmas via the Angel Tree at the Y and bringing food to the residents at the Plainfield YMCA. We opened the Y after hurricane Sandy to those without power to offer a place to recharge and reconnect. When tragedy would strike our community, the Y was always there- as a beacon of hope and a place where people could go (the place where "everybody knows your name"). As I grew and started to recognize faces participating in the Livestrong program, my understanding of the power of the Y deepened. The Y offers so much that so many people don't even realize- and it relies on donors willing to support our community. Join me in giving to the South Mountain Y, a place that I now call home (10 years!) and am glad to have in my life. I may work here, but I also drop my child off every day to our ECLC and can attest to the fact that I would not want my child to be anywhere else. There is something so incredibly special about the YMCA and I hope you agree- give today so we can keep on being there!