A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

YMCA staff in Memphis gathered in the freezing weather to load 3,000 meal packs into a box truck headed to Oxford, Mississippi. This typically vibrant college town had been ravaged by Winter Storm Fern, leaving thousands of families without electricity and water for days.

As the truck slowly made its way down the ice-covered roads to Lafayette County, it was carrying much more than food. It was delivering hope to kids who, because schools were closed, had little access to daily meals.

I always say the Y is not just a place or a building. It is a community of people who support and care for one another no matter what life throws at us. And the extraordinary lengths I saw our Y staff go through to serve those affected by the winter storm certainly proves my point.

It was a challenging week to say the least. The entire region had come to a standstill. Carrying out an operations plan in these kinds of weather conditions is a daunting task.

But all over the Mid-South, members of our team braved the elements to get Y centers open and available to everyone in the community to access.

People poured into the doors for warm showers and a place to charge their phones. But they stayed for the free hot coffee and swapped stories of survival with others hanging out in the lobby to keep warm.

Emergency childcare was offered to kids of first responders who could not miss work due to weather. Snow Care sites were also opened to accommodate working parents while schools remained closed.

All week you could find staff out shoveling snow off sidewalks, checking pools and buildings and giving kind words of encouragement to everyone they met. I even heard about a center director who went to the homes of some older members who live alone to ensure they were safe.

If that’s not loving your neighbor, then I don’t know what is.

In a world where it is easy to get weighed down by negativity and challenges, I am thankful to support an organization who is willing to jump right in to help others when they need it the most.

When you make a donation to the Y, you are giving more than just dollars. You are making a commitment to honor your neighbors and to strengthen community in times of crisis. Together, we make a dependable team that is its own force of nature.

Hope Sneed

Your 2025 Impact

What's Happening at the Y

Ribbon Cutting: Dyersburg Family YMCA at First United Methodist Church

The new Dyersburg Family YMCA is official! A ribbon cutting was held on February 5, 2026 at our new location at First United Methodist Church. The Y's investment in the Dyersburg community reflects our dedication to expanding opportunities and driving a meaningful impact across the Mid-South.

Groundbreaking: Lakeland Community Center YMCA

On February 5, 2026, we broke ground! In partnership with the City of Lakeland, the future Lakeland Community Center YMCA is offiically underway, marking an exciting new chapter for the community.

Dave Bratcher named Senior Vice President of Philanthropy

Dave Bratcher will lead our philanthropy team and fundraising efforts, including annual giving and capital campaigns, endowment strategy, donor engagement, grants, and special events. He will guide the philanthropic strategy and set the vision for sustainable growth that fuels our mission across the Mid-South, helping fill critical gaps for those who need it most.

105 Saves Lives Challenge

Move with purpose and make an impact! Complete 105 miles using any combination of biking, walking, running, or swimming - and raise $105 for St. Jude to earn exclusive merchandise. That distance represents the journey from our Fogelman Downtown YMCA, around all Memphis-area YMCA locations, and back to St. Jude. We challenge you to reach this goal in 6 weeks - Every Mile Makes A Difference.

Save the Date: 2026 Dancing with the Stars - Memphis

Thank You for Doing More

Your generosity fuels every story, every program, and every life changed at the Y. Thank you for believing in this mission and continuing to #YDoMore for your Community.