YMCA To Consolidate Childcare Services

The YMCA announced today that it was going to consolidate its childcare programming into one site from its current two locations.  At the present time the YMCA operates the Barker Center on Egg Harbor Road and the Lansing Center on the west edge of the industrial park in Sturgeon Bay.  Beginning on January 11, 2016 all children will be served at the Barker Center.

The consolidation has been made necessary because of the drop in enrollment created by the expansion of the all-day 4K program in area schools and by the financial impact which the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) will have on the operations for the childcare program beginning in 2016. 

“The YMCA business model for childcare programming is built on a blend of a low ratio of newborns to teachers (4 to 1) to a much higher ratio of four year olds to teacher (18 to 1).  With the critical reduction in the number of four year olds, and the new costs of the ACA mandates, the business model for two buildings is not sustainable” explained Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen.  “When the Federal Government established a low 30 hours per week threshold for the definition of fulltime employment for the ACA, it resulted in an exposure of more than $100,000 in new expenses, on an annual basis, in the childcare area alone” Beerntsen continued.

The purchase of the Barker Center facility in 2012 was driven by the need for additional quality childcare in Door County.  Soon after opening in 2013 the Center was filled and in the second year of operation the Barker Center was awarded the coveted and nationally recognized Five Star Young Star rating. 

In early 2014 the Lansing Center was purchased and became the main location for the YMCAs well attended eleven week day camp program and the main kitchen for the YMCA summer foods program which served more than 20,000 lunches to children weekdays this past summer.  The Lansing Center opened for childcare service in the fall of 2014 and also serves as an offsite location for wellness classes.  Ministry Door County Medical Center also operates a satellite office at the Lansing Center.

YMCA Board of Directors Chairperson, Steve Abrahamson indicated that accessible and affordable childcare is critical to the ability of a community to attract young families and develop a vibrant economy.  “Moms and dads have been able to go to work knowing that their children are safe and in good care when they are at our YMCA childcare centers.  We remain committed to working to design a business model which allows us to continue these important services under one roof” Abrahamson commented.  “It is unfortunate that in this case well intended decisions at the federal level with healthcare and the related loss of our 4 year old enrollment in day care has resulted in a challenge to the viability of care for the youngest of our children” Abrahamson concluded.

The Lansing Center will continue to serve as a site for wellness classes, summer day camp, summer foods and other special Y programs.   The operation of the hospital satellite office is unchanged under the current lease arrangement.  It is anticipated that the use and disposition of the two YMCA owned centers will be determined in the third quarter of 2016.

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National Service AmeriCorps member placed in Sturgeon Bay to serve community

April Novak was announced as Marshfield Clinic  AmeriCorps member serving at Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Center until August 31, 2016. April is a native of Kewaunee, Wisconsin.

April is serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Door County YMCA.  Her principal duty is to update and maintain the volunteer process.  She will also be periodically making contact with current and past volunteers, as well as recruiting new volunteers to serve the Door County YMCA, Sturgeon Bay and Northern Door locations.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities at 25,000 different sites throughout the U.S. for individuals to engage in intensive service for one year to meet critical community needs.  Since 1994, 900,000 volunteers have participated in AmeriCorps, addressing needs in education, health, economic support, and the environment.  In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. 

Marshfield Clinic sponsors three AmeriCorps programs: an after school tutoring and healthy active living program, a program for building nonprofit capacity through effective use of volunteers, and a program that supports substance abuse prevention.

April joined the Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps program to gain experience in the community and human service areas.  Her work is driven by a desire to serve individuals and families, as well as strengthen the community and society as a whole.

April went to St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and graduated in 2015 with the degree in Psychology.

Marshfield Clinic provides patient care, research and education with more than 50 locations in northern, central and western Wisconsin, making it one of the largest comprehensive medical systems in the United States.

YMCA Receives $200,000 Challenge Gift

Northern Door Capital Campaign Passes $1 Million Mark for Phase 2

An anonymous $200,000 challenge gift pushed Phase 2 of the Door County YMCA’s Capital Campaign for the Northern Door Program Center past the $1 million mark. As of today, each new dollar committed to construct a 3,500-square-foot addition at the Fish Creek facility will be matched up to $200,000.

“We’re optimistic that with this major new commitment to our project we’ll be able to secure the necessary gifts and pledges to begin construction before winter weather arrives,” said Tom Beerntsen, Door County YMCA CEO. “We value every dollar we receive, and this challenge gift doubles the impact of each contribution as we work to reach our $1.5 million goal.”

The addition will be constructed on the south side of the existing building, facing Gibraltar Road, and will house a new Lifestyle Center. With an additional 1,200 square feet for cardio and strength training equipment compared to the current Lifestyle Center in the center of the building, the way in which the Y serves members and guests will be visibly transformed, and the space in the center of the building will be renovated into multi-purpose rooms.

“During recent strategic planning focus group meetings it was confirmed how vital the Y is to residents and Door County visitors alike,” said Northern Door Program Center Executive Director Drew Richmond. “This facility has provided a space for a wide range of activities that promote healthy lifestyles since 1999, and this next phase of construction will allow us to better serve our community for many years to come.”

Other elements of Phase 2 include replacement of the gym roof, all air handler units, a refurbish of the two main shower rooms, and renovation of all bathrooms. Last year, the Y raised more than $750,000 to expand and replace the aquatic center mechanical room, dehumidification system and boilers as Phase 1 of capital improvements.

Individuals and businesses interested in helping to meet the new challenge gift should contact Drew Richmond (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949).

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YMCA Capital Campaign Approaches $1M Mark

The Door County YMCA announced today that Green Bay Packaging and the George Kress Foundation have made a $500,000 commitment to the YMCA for a new, 3,500-square-foot Lifestyle Center addition to the Northern Door Program Center. This addition is the centerpiece of the current effort to raise $1.5M to construct the new Lifestyle Center, reroof the gym, replace the facility’s air handling units and refurbish the locker room shower rooms.

Will Kress, Green Bay Packaging CEO, indicated that they are pleased to be able to support this important YMCA expansion program.   “Our family has been long-time supporters of the YMCA in northeast Wisconsin, and we have had a deep interest in Door County for several generations. We appreciate the importance of a strong and vibrant YMCA program and understand that the Y in Door County is truly the center of the community,” Kress said.

The new Lifestyle Center will face Gibraltar Road and it is hoped that construction will begin prior to the end of the year.  More than $900,000 has been raised to date for this phase of capital improvements. Last year the YMCA raised $750,000 to expand the Aquatic Center mechanical room and replace the dehumidification system and boilers.

“It is our intent to move forward with each necessary improvement to the Northern Door Program Center as the funds are secured,” said Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “The improvement to the pool area was an incredibly important but not very visible investment. Our next improvements will be highly visible and significantly improve the usability of our facility – the Lifestyle Center addition will change the way we are able to serve our members and the community.”

Contributions and pledges are currently being sought to reach the campaign goal of $1.5M. For additional information on the building program and the fund raising effort, contact Drew Richmond, Development Director/Northern Door Program Center Executive Director (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org,920-743-4949).

YMCA Moves Toward Second Phase of Northern Door Capital Projects

 Expansion plans will add 3,500 square feet

Efforts are now underway to secure the $1.5 million required to fund an expansion of the YMCA’s Northern Door Program Center in Fish Creek. This capital improvement project is the second phase of a multi-year expansion and renovation program.

The centerpiece of phase two is the addition of a 3,500-square-foot new Lifestyle Center, which would be added to the south side of the current facility facing Gibraltar Road. The new construction will replace the existing Lifestyle Center in the center of the facility.

“The growth of our membership and programming has outpaced the space we currently have available,” said Northern Door Program Center Executive Director Drew Richmond. “The expansion will include space for more cardiovascular and strength training equipment, as well as a social lounge and stretching area, which will create a more welcoming, comfortable and safe work out experience for every one.”

The existing space in the center of the building will be renovated into two multi-purpose spaces to accommodate additional programming for children, adults, families and seniors. The renovated spaces will provide more functional, updated space for programming from group exercise to youth dance. An additional benefit will be increased storage for classroom equipment and enhanced sound proofing between classroom spaces.

This second phase of construction will also renovate both shower rooms, providing fully tiled shower areas, and replace the gym roof. All existing roof top air-handling units will be replaced and relocated.

The first phase of the improvement program was completed earlier this year when the original pool mechanical room was expanded, and the air handling system for the aquatic center was replaced at a cost of $750,000. This project was funded by gifts and pledges for this purpose.

“It is our intent to move forward with each necessary improvement to the Northern Door Program Center as the funds are secured,” said Door County YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “The improvement to the pool area was an incredibly important but not very visible investment. Our next improvements will be highly visible and significantly improve the usability of our facility – the Lifestyle Center addition will change the way we are able to serve our members and the community.”

The final phase of improvements to the facility would address the configuration of social and offices spaces and update finishes in the entry area to the facility. No timetable has been established for the third phase of renovations; however, if funding is secured for the Lifestyle Center addition, construction could begin before the end of this year.

Individuals and businesses interested in assisting with this project should contact Drew Richmond (drichmond@doorcountyymca.org, 920-868-3660) or Tom Beerntsen (tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949) at the Door County YMCA. 

Sturgeon Underwater Hockey Play at Nationals

The Door County Sturgeons played at underwater hockey's nationals tournament in Los Angeles, California June 26th- 28th.  They played a total of 15 games over the three day tournament against teams from Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and more.  The team finished 5th in the B division, putting them four places ahead of where they finished last year when they were at the top of the C division.  Their final game against Chicago was won with a goal by Kendall Banks in sudden death overtime.  The photo below was taken of the team after that win.  The Sturgeons practice at the Sturgeon Bay Program Center YMCA.  Summer practice is from 5:15-6:45 on Fridays, and the team welcomes new players of all ages.

The Sturgeons pictured below (left to right, back to front):    Albert Weber, David Foulds, Robert Vernon, Yori Huynh, Kendall Banks, Trisha Filar, Kaitlyn Schauske, Molly Banks, Amy Ensign, and Gale Chier.  Not pictured is Paul Filar.  

Free Summer Swim Lesson Program

Through a partnership with YUSA, the YMCA’s Sturgeon Bay Program Center has received an outreach grant to offer free swim lessons to 100 children ages 5-12 during our 2015 summer swim program. Registration is required and can be made by stopping in or calling our Welcome Center at 920-743-4949 (the program registration opens for members beginning June 15 and community members beginning June 17 and will be on a “first come/first served basis”).  

Participants may sign up for one of two “Super Swim Sessions” from June 29 – July 3 or July 6 – 10 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. 5 – 7 different stations will be set up with certified swim instructors at each station.

Door County YMCA CEO, Tom Beerntsen, stated that “in a county surrounded by water, it is vital that we do everything possible to provide for the safety of our kids and the Y is pleased to be able to join with Y’s throughout the country and “hop the gap” to fill this significant need in our community during the summer months”.    

Please contact Mike McHugh, Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Program Center Aquatics Director, at 920-743-4949 for any questions about our free swim lesson program. To learn more about the Door County YMCA, please visit: http://www.doorcountyymca or call us at 920-743-4949 in Sturgeon Bay or 920-868-3660 in Fish Creek.

Door County YMCA Reaches 2015 Annual Campaign Goal

The Door County YMCA would like to offer its thanks and deep appreciation to the many supporters, donors and community volunteers whose generosity and hard work raised $525,167 to support our Annual Campaign (formerly known as Strong Kids). The Y’s Annual Campaign ensures that everyone in Door County has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive and participate in great Y programs without regard to their financial means.  The Annual Campaign provides financial assistance for those in need and enables the Y to provide programs and services that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Through the Annual Campaign, the Y is able to serve the community with many impactful free programs like Summer Foods which provides summer meals for more than 300 kids each day during the summer months, free swimming lessons for more than 150 children, English Language Learners Classes which provide language instructions for non-English speakers and LiveSTRONG at the YMCA which helps those recovering from the debilitating effects of cancer.

 Door County YMCA President and CEO, Tom Beerntsen noted that: “To reach our Annual Campaign goal of $525,000 is truly an extraordinary accomplishment. We are humbled by the generosity of our donors and the diligence of our volunteer campaigners. At the Y, we value every dollar entrusted to us by our donors. A successful campaign insures that we will continue to honor our promise to serve everyone who comes our way regardless of financial ability. The need for a mission driven and values based organization has never been more important. We are fortunate to live in an extremely compassionate community where residents consistently step forward to make certain that everyone has access to our YMCA. Nearly 25% of our membership enjoys some degree of financial assistance and due to the community’s generosity, our YMCA is able to welcome all who want to participate.”

 To learn more about the Door County YMCA, please visit: http://www.doorcountyymca or call us at  at 920-743-4949 in Sturgeon Bay or 920-868-3660 in Fish Creek. 

Door County YMCA Doorfins Nationals Update

It was a very memorable year. From the 8-under girls winning the YMCA State Championship, 6 state records, 14 Individual and Relay State Champions, to 19 YMCA National Championship cut times, and 4 National relay cut times. We had great hope for a superb national meet, and it certainly was exciting.

Our first race at Nationals was the 200 Breaststroke. Max placed 6th in the Prelims, and moved up to 4th in the Finals at night with a personal best time of 2:02.0. He was just out touched for 3rd by 1/10th of a second. Our 200 Free relay also swam, placing 17th, 1 spot out of Finals. It was our best time of the year.

Our 400 free relay placed 23rd, and our 200 Medley swam beautifully, but disqualified on a false start. The time would have placed us 11th going into finals.

Macoy Neinas had a tremendous meet, swimming all 3 relays with best times in every race. Macoy and Max teamed up for a great start in the 200 medley, Macoy swimming his best time in the back and Max swimming the fastest split in the meet (24.77) in the breast. 

Ryan Ehlinger had a great meet with best times in the 200 butterfly, placing 51st with a 1:56.4, and 111 in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.06.

Our best swim was on Thursday night in the 100 Breaststroke. Max McHugh was seated 2nd going into finals against the 200 Breast National Champion. This was also the Wisconsin High School State Champion in the 100 Breaststroke.  I know, it is odd that Wisconsin has the 2 fastest breaststroke swimmers in the nation.  The race was very quick, with 6 swimmers posting faster times than Prelims.  Max led from the start of the race, swimming the fastest front 50 and fastest 2nd 50 for a 54.89. He dropped over 1 second from prelims. His time is the 5th fastest time in history, with Conner McHugh having the top 2 times and National Record. Max is also 15, the youngest Men’s National Champion in history. The next 15 year old swimmer placed 39th. No brothers have ever repeated as National Champions back-to back in history. Interesting story. 

We also finished  in the 100 butterfly with Jared Klika ( 42nd-51.42)and Ryan Scripp (65th-51.89). Ryan Scripp also placed 64th in the 200 free. We placed 18th as a team for the meet.

A Note From Our CEO

Greetings, 

This weekend the Christian world will celebrate the Easter holiday. Over the many years that I have been involved with the YMCA as both a volunteer and staff member, I have thought often about how Christian values, which guide our programming and work, might not only survive but thrive in an ever changing and complex world. I continue to believe that the need for the YMCA and our mission based and values driven programming has never been more important!

The Easter season is a time of new beginnings and hope for a better tomorrow. Years ago, it was suggested that the YMCA is "an island of hope in a sea of opportunities in many communities". I believe that this is especially true in Door County. The Christian values which are at the very foundation of our organization require that we accept and welcome all individuals and families regardless of the color of their skin, the religion they choose or their financial ability to pay. I have maintained my faith in this good organization because the Y should be and is, the one place where the playing field is leveled and all are welcomed.

In this season of hope, our board and staff want to be a regular part of your life. Your YMCA is so much more than a "rec center". We care for the very young in our two child care facilities and work with the most senior of our citizens to provide programs like memory and balance classes. Our LiveSTRONG at the Y program for cancer survivors offers those challenged by the ravages of cancer a new outlook on life. In mid-May, we will welcome more than 300 dads and their daughters to our annual "Father - Daughter Ball" providing memories for a lifetime to young girls who seem to grow up too fast. The list of programs could go on and on....

We join you in looking forward to the coming Easter weekend and the advent of warmer spring temperatures. We also welcome back our many seasonal visitors and we hope that you will continue to use and enjoy the YMCA in the months ahead.

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and blessed Easter weekend. We look forward to serving you and seeing you often this spring!

No Classes: April 4 & 5

YMCA is Closed : Easter Sunday, April 5

DCY Doorfins 2015 State Swimming Results

In a year that marked one of the most successful years in team history, the DCY Doorfin swim team save their best efforts for the last meet – the YMCA State Championships held at the Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, WI. The team place 5^th out of the 24 teams in the combined score, girls placing 7^th and the boys placing 3^rd in the meet. The team recorded 79% best times for the meet in 172 total events. (151 individual and 21 relays). The 8-under girls’ team stole the show, placing 1^st in Wisconsin in total points.

Highlights included a spectacular performance in both the 100 medley relay (Cassie Rankin, Sylvia Townsend, Julia Michalski, and Katie Norton) placing 2^nd and State Champions in the 100 free relay.  Cassie Rankin had a spectacular meet, crowned the State Champion in the 25 free, 50 free, and 100 individual medley. Cassie was out- touched in the 100 free by less then a 1/10^th of a second, just missing the full sweep of 4 individual State Champion titles. Our team ended up with 6 State Records, 14 State Championship titles, 11 – 2^nd places, and 6 -3^rd places in the meet.

State Champion Relays: 8 – under girls 100 free relay, 13-14 boys 200 medley relay (Brock Aune, Trent Ehlers, Spencer Klika, Max McHugh). 

15-18 boys 200 medley relay and 15-18 boys 200 free relay (Macoy Neinas, Jared Klika, Ryan Scripp, Max McHugh) both of these relays were set new state records. The same boys were also State Champions in the 15-18 boys 400 free relay.  

Individual State Champions:

Cassie Rankin (above)

Jared Klika, 15-18 boys 50 freestyle

Ryan Scripp, 100 freestyle- State Record

Max McHugh won all of his individual events, setting 3 state records in 4 event; 13-14 boys 100 Breast-State Record, 200 Breast-State Record, 50 Freestyle-State Record and 200 Individual Medley-State Champion. It was a tough weekend for Max, swimming 5 relays and 4 individual events-ending with 8 State Championship titles, 1-2^nd place.

We will be taking 5 swimmers, Macoy Neinas, Ryan Ehlinger, Ryan Scripp, Jared Klika, and Max McHugh, to the YMCA National Championships in Greensboro North Carolina next week.

In one of the most exciting events of the meet, Katie Kaminski also qualified for Nationals in the 200 breaststroke, dropping 3 seconds in the race to make the time cut. We qualified 19 events for Nationals this past weekend.

2^nd Place Finishers:

Cassie Rankin, 8-under 100 free and  8-under girls 100 medley relay

Abigial Schauske, 11-12 girls 100 butterfly

Katie Kaminski, 15-18 girls 200 breaststroke

Drew Rass, 9-10 100 breaststroke

Brokc Anue, 13-14 100 breaststroke and boys 13-14 200 medley relay

Jared Klika, 15-18 boys 100 butterfly

Jesper Johnson, 11-12 500 freestyle

Ryan Scripp, 15-18 boys 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly

3^rd Place Finishers:

Brock Anue, 13-14 boys 200 breaststroke

Drew Rass, 9-10 boys 50 breast and 100 individual medley

Christiana Brau, 9-10 girls  200 freestyle

Jared Klika, 15-18 boys 100 free

Ryan Scripp, 15-19 200 individual medley

Our 9-10 boys also placed 4^th in the 200 free and medley relays.

All time for the meet can be viewed on the WSACstate meet website.

Chuck and Pat Stage were recognized as the newest members of the YUSA's Book of Honors as top donors at the Door County YMCA's annual Community Leaders Breakfast last Thursday, March 5. 

Pictured (left to right): Tom Beerntsen, Door County YMCA CEO, Pat and Chuck Stage

MY Y WEEK KICKS OFF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FOR DOOR COUNTY YMCA

    The Door County YMCA is launching its’ Annual Campaign on Monday, February 9th with “My Y Week”. The Y’s Annual Campaign ensures that everyone in Door County has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive with the great programs offered at the YMCA.  With the financial help of the community, this year’s campaign has a goal of $525,000 which will help individuals and families through our income based membership program to participate in a variety of programs while supporting community outreach programs which tackle the problems of hunger prevention with our Summer Foods Program, chronic diseases with LiveSTRONG at the Y, free health fairs and so much more.

    This year’s Annual Campaign theme is: “Imagine the Possibilities” and will feature many great fun events based on the lives and songs of “the Beatles”.  

• On Monday, February 9th, please join us and cheer on local celebrities at our Northern Door and Sturgeon Bay Program Centers for “the Long and Winding Treadmill Challenge”.
• On Tuesday, February 10th, take the “Beatles Trivia Challenge “and win fabulous prizes while testing your knowledge of the Fab 4.
• On Wednesday, February 11th, join us in our “Yellow Submarine” and enjoy free snacks, treats and submarine sandwiches.
• On Thursday, February 12th, we will have crafts and activities in our lobbies while “grooving” to the sounds of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
• To cap off the festivities on Friday, February 13th, with “Ain’t She Sweet” treats on “We Love Our Members Day”.

Together and with a “little help from our friends”, My Y Week and the Annual Campaign help to support our friends and neighbors to make our communities stronger by providing financial assistance for programs and services which support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  To learn how you can support the Door County YMCA’s Annual Campaign, please visit: http://www.doorcountyymca or contact Cindy Weber at 920-743-4949 or cweber@doorcountyymca.org

A BETTER BAG OF GROCERIES

Ministry Door County Medical Center and the Door County YMCA would like to extend an invitation to join us for our upcoming Workplace Wellness Roundtable which will take place from 8:00 am – 9:00 am on Wednesday, February 4th at the YMCA’s Lansing Avenue Program Center, 876 Lansing Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. Our featured speaker will be Lauren Lindsley, RDN, CD at Festival Foods, who will discuss the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System along with other free nutrition related resources offered at Festival Foods which will help you and your employees to shop smarter in the supermarket!

Snacks and refreshments will be served at this FREE event which is a great opportunity for CEO’s. Business Owners and Human Resource Directors to learn more about workplace wellness initiatives. Please register and save your spot today by calling Brenda Rosenstiel at 920-743-4949 or email brosenstiel@doorcountyymca.org   

Baylake Bank Playground Coming to YMCA Peterson Park

The Door County YMCA announced today a new community playground will be built early this summer directly north of the Sturgeon Bay Y Program Center in YMCA Peterson Park.   The Door County YMCA will partner with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. 

Planning for the playground will begin in late winter when the KaBOOM! team will host a Design Day event during which members of the community – from adults to children – will gather to develop the theme for the playground. Kids will put crayons to paper and draw their dream playground. Elements from their drawings will be incorporated into the final design of the playground that will be built in June with the help of 200 community volunteers who will join together to build the playground in a single day. Design Day is also the first meeting for the playground committee that will determine how best to create and catalyze the new playspace so that the kids can get the balanced and active play they need to thrive.

Primary funding for the playground will be provided by a special gift from Baylake Bank. “The Peterson family has a long and significant history with our Bank, and their philanthropic example and passion for children and families has helped to make Sturgeon Bay and Door County a great place to live, “ said Robert J. Cera, President and CEO of Baylake Bank.  “We believe that this contribution is a strong example of our commitment to this community and the individuals and families we serve each day” Cera added. An additional gift to assist with the completion of the $100,000 playground project was provided by Errico and Patrizia Auricchio, longtime friend and neighbors of the Petersons.  The Raibrook Foundation will also provide support for the playground project.

The Baylake Bank Playground will face 19th Place and is part of a master plan for the ten acre Peterson Park.    A public restroom, made possible with the assistance of the Raibrook Foundation, is currently under construction and will serve the park area.  

Initial improvements to the property also include the installation of a three quarter of mile of walking path, a small amphitheater for youth programming and exercise programs, an additional sports field and a prairie garden area at the north end of the property.  Future improvements, to be made as funding is available, will include a multipurpose sports court, sand volleyball courts and splash pad.  A program to honor or memorialize friends and families with trees and park benches will be announced this spring.

“The YMCA is pleased to be able to provide this unique public space for our community,” said   YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “This park is another extraordinary testimony to the generosity of the Peterson family.  The willingness of Baylake Bank, the Raibrook Foundation and the Auricchio family to support this special community project is greatly appreciated. I look forward to joining together with our volunteers this June to construct a playground that will be a gift to our community,” Beerntsen concluded.

Contact: 

Tom Beerntsen, YMCA, tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949 

Kristine Austria, KaBOOM!, kaustria@kaboom.org, 202-464-6427

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About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,000 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 7.4 million children. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation attwitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF!

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?””

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

MLK Day of Service is a call of service of all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to some of our nations persistent problems. Every year on this day Americans across the country unite to serve their neighbors and communities. In addition uniting, let us work to acknowledge those keeping us safe with in our community, lend a helping hand to our neighbor and build a sense of solidarity among all members of Door County.

What can you do today and everyday to serve?

·         Write letters or send care packages to the military

·         Write Thank You letters to those serving our Community, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Coast Guard, Nurses etc.

·         Help your neighbor with shoveling

·         Create cards for those living in Nursing Homes

·         Let elderly and those with children go ahead of you in line at the grocery store

·         Sign up to volunteer for future events

·         Donate clothing and toys that you no longer wear or use

Giving back is an important part of the Y’s work in the community. Powered by 600,000 volunteers across the nation, we make our neighborhoods stronger. Join us. #MLKDay #YMCA. Contact Alexis Fuller for volunteer opportunities at the Door County YMCA at  afuller@doorcountyymca.org or (920) 743-4949