Area YMCAs Sign Management Agreement , Will Merge

From Greater Valley YMCA: (August 22, 2023) YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Greater Valley YMCA in Pennsylvania, will enter into a management agreement for Zane Moore, President/CEO of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, to provide executive leadership to Greater Valley YMCA beginning September 1, 2023.

The boards of directors of both YMCAs separately voted to move forward with the agreement after several months of conversation between the two organizations. The conversations were initiated by Greater Valley YMCA anticipating the August 2023 retirement of their longtime CEO, David Fagerstrom.

“Once I announced my upcoming retirement, we began thinking as an organization about the best way to move forward,” said Fagerstrom, “Following an extensive period of due diligence, we feel that entering into this partnership with neighboring YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties will lead our Y toward a strong future of growth and service to our community.”

The management agreement provides a unique opportunity for the two Ys, who already have a shared mission and commitment to positively impact lives, to explore the possible benefits of merging the organizations. Exploration will include assessing organizational alignment, shared resources and efficiencies, and opportunities for learning from proven practices. Following a period of due diligence, the boards of both Ys will evaluate whether merging the two organizations provides operational benefits and strengthens their ability to advance their mission.

“This is an exciting time for both Ys and will provide us with a great opportunity to learn from each other and establish collaborative connections,” said Zane Moore, President/CEO of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. “Through this process, our goal is to strengthen both organizations, providing greater benefit and service to communities across Lehigh, Northampton, Hunterdon and Bucks counties.”

Both YMCAs are charitable, nonprofit organizations committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Additionally, they support members of the community through food programs, residential and overnight sheltering services, educational resources, blood drives, and community service projects.

Blogger's Note: I'm surprised to hear these are "charitable" institutions when membershipfees are outrageous in comparison to for-profit gyms.

Slate Belt Y Proposes After Hours Program For bangor Schools

L to R: Dick Smith, Slate Belt Y Founder; Devon Whiteman, Jill A'Hearn and Frank Frey

Did you know that 40% of the children at Bangor Area School District are entitled to free lunches? Jill A'Hearn, speaking on behalf of the Slate Belt YMCA, has proposed an after hours program for children until their working parents can pick them up. It will be educational, but also will include physical activity and a snack. The cost is $11 per student per day, but no child will be turned away.

School Director Bob Cartwright was skeptical at their meeting last night until he realized that it includes an educational component.

Ron Angle, from the peanut gallery, piped up and told the Board, Thus is one of the most marvelous things I've heard in a long time." He added, "I would sponsor a child."

Frank Frey the CEO at the Greatervalley Y, told the Board there are similar programs in seven area school districts.

The Slate Belt Y, based in Pen Argyl, has raised $4.2 million of the $6 million it needs to complete construction.

Easton Y's Hot Firecracker 4-Miler

These guys were busy

Around 300 runners and walkers braved the soaring temperatures to participate in the Easton Family's YMCA Firecracker 4-miler on July 4. Nobody died, although many of us thought we had. Despite an 8:30 AM start and a very flat course, the heat made the race a challenge. One participant did keel over, although that might be the old lady I pushed.

Who won?

I can give you some bullshit about everyone being a winner, but I won. I think I ran the race in about three minutes. Backwards.

Actually, I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack after hiding in the bushes while everyone else ran.

Bethlehem City Council member J. Willie Reynolds finished in a blistering 26 minutes, good enough to place second in his age group (12 and under). He was unable to stay for the awards ceremony, so I took his trophy and am selling it on e-Bay.

High bidder so far is Tony Simao.

Northampton County Recorder of Deeds Ann Achatz talked me into this very bad decision. Not only did I nearly hurl in the final mile, but I missed Nazareth's kazoo parade.

One of the race participants was this Obamaphile. Now that's dedication!

After we finished running, it was a "fun" run for the kids. I think they went about 8 miles. No shade, either. I stole their trophies, too.

Actually, the kids had a blast, and that's the race I should have run. There were balloons and ribbons and everything. I might have won that race. Besides, there were about 1000 volunteers like these lovely ladies. I could have asked them for help.

After the race was over, Accucare Chiropractic gave out a few free massages. Patti was unable to keep her hands off me.

Below, you'll see me (in my third T-shirt) with Ann's husband, John, and their niece.