The YMCA of Calgary's Story

This 1950s vintage badge was sewn by YMCA of Calgary's Camp Chief Hector campers onto their coats and blankets.  The two newer badges give campers in 2011 the same opportunity to show their love of camping.  This paddle was made from ash and has explored the bays of Lake Chilver, the Red Deer River, the North Saskatchewan River and the Bow River.  This horseshoe connects YMCA campers to western horse culture – riding and horse husbandry. 

Taken together, badges, paddles and horseshoes are symbols of the lasting friendships and good memories made at Calgary YMCA camps.  They are also symbols of a community culture that supports the healthy development of children, teens and young adults.

The YMCAs of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo Story

We're contributing a more than 100-year old fir beam is taken from a local manufacturer in Waterloo Region.  It reveals the different rings and layers that make up a tree, representing the generations of families who served at every level of the YMCA like the Grebs, Chaplins and Kaufmans.

We're also contributing a strip of maple is a reminder of the community-building activities that take place in our gyms.  The YMCA Jingle Bell Run, which began 20 years ago in Cambridge, is remembered by these red and green bells.  Although the race has evolved from a finish line of ropes and wooden holders to chip timing, the spirit of community and giving has not changed.

The YMCA-YWCA of Guelph's Story

We're contributing a wooden plaque that was presented to the Camp Nagiwa's first waterfront director, Leon Garstecki.  Leon was instrumental in creating the kind of camp experience that convinced Nagiwa's first owners to sell it to the YMCA-YWCA of Guelph in the 1950s.

Up until then, Guelph Y boys were gypsies who were scattered across many camps each summer.  Due to the efforts of YMCA leaders like Leon, they were able to put down roots and experience the joys of camping with lifelong friends.

This plaque is given in honour of those who made our Association what it is today.

The YMCA of Lethbridge's Story

This railway tie and spike were made for a high-level bridge constructed in 1909, around the same time as the opening of the Lethbridge YMCA.  This bridge is the highest and longest bridge of this type in the world.  These pieces were recovered from beneath it by Canadian Pacific Rail staff and given to us as a symbol of the CPR and YMCA’s long friendship.  Many CPR employees are members of the YMCA, and the company has been a faithful donor. 

These materials are among the strongest and most durable of any forged in Canada – much like the relationship between the YMCA, the CPR and the Lethbridge community.

The YMCA of Peterborough's Story

This piece of lumber, hand-forged nail and white marble tile were taken from the oldest, purpose built YMCA in Canada: the YMCA of Peterborough.  Constructed in 1895, this fine facility served the community for 112 years before a new one was built.  The wood is likely a floor or wall board.  The marble is from the floor of the original washrooms on the third floor of the building, and the square nail was used in the flooring. 

These durable building materials remind us that the YMCA of today is built on the strong foundation of the past.

The YMCA of Owen Sound's Story

This piece of Hope Bay limestone comes from the same source as the donor wall and exterior wall of the new Regional Recreation Centre – the fulfillment of a dream pursued for 20 years by the volunteers and staff at the YMCA of Owen Sound.  The limestone was donated by a local company, one of the partners involved in building this new facility. 

It represents the collaborative nature, generosity and strength of our community.

 

The YMCA of Medicine Hat's Story

This small I-XL brick represents an industry which has played an important role in the history and development of our city for almost 100 years.  I-XL Group is a fourth generation, family-owned company manufacturing quality brick products since 1912.  The Sisson family has provided significant leadership and philanthropic support to the YMCA and Medicine Hat over these many years.

When we built our new downtown YMCA in 1972, brick was chosen as the main building material.  In 1982, a robbery started a major fire.  Although it burned for six hours, the damage was minimal due to the extensive use of brick.

Brick is a symbol of our valued connection to a leader in Medicine Hat’s business sector and a historic philanthropic partner.