A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
The Gift of Giving Back
November and thankfulness go together, just like turkey and dressing. It is the month where we count our blessings, count our calories and start the countdown to the new year.
It is also a season where we thank the special donors who support our Annual Campaign. These are the dollars that the Y counts on to fund the special programs and financial assistance it provides all year long.
The Annual Campaign is possible because of the generosity of others who consider themselves blessed, and want to pass those gifts along to those who need it more.
There is one group of cheerful givers I want to highlight who often go unrecognized: our YMCA employees.
The Y staff are a determined, and benevolent bunch. They aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to tackle some of the toughest challenges we face as a community. However, they don’t just talk the talk.
This year our employees are on target to give $155,000 towards the Annual Campaign. That’s 15 percent of our $1,025,000 goal. If that isn’t putting your money where your mouth is, then I don’t know what qualifies.
And remember, this is a non-profit we are talking about. No one is getting rich from this job.
But who can better understand the heart of what the Y does more than the very folks who show up to work on the front lines every day?
In order to fully understand what compels Y staff to give a portion of their hard-earned paycheck back to the mission I decided to conduct a non-scientific survey. I polled people who work in different aspects of our Association to ask their reasons for giving. Though their answers varied, their motivation is the same.
Here’s a sample of responses:
”Because I get to see our impact carried out in the lives of real people every day.”
“As an employee donor, I get to be a part of positive change that will be felt for generations.”
“Giving to our Annual Campaign is the right thing to do. There is strength in numbers, and when all of us give, we are a force that makes a big difference.”
“Every child deserves hope, food and a safe space to learn. The Y provides that and I believe kids are worth the investment.”
“I witness our mission in action by the children cared for, the relationships formed and the improvement people are making in their wellness every day. Over the last 12 years, the Y has given me so much more than I have financially given to the Y.”
“The employee giving t-shirts are pretty cute too”
So there you have it. The Y has a lot for which to be grateful. We appreciate our employees for not only believing in the work we do, but for buying in to it…literally.
Hope Sneed
Golfers Tee Up Support for the Future Dyersburg Family YMCA
On November 7, community members and golf enthusiasts came together for the Fall Man Classic, presented by Davis Wealth Services, at The Lennox Event & Golf Co. at The Farms.
This fun-filled tournament wasn’t just about great drives and putts—it was about driving impact. The Dyersburg Family YMCA, is set to open in 2026 located at 415 Elm Avenue.
We’re grateful to Davis Wealth Services, sponsors, and every golfer who joined us to make this day a success. Together, we’re helping build a space where families can connect, grow stronger, and belong.
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