Willard’s Story
“I am Y” tells the stories of Y members and staff and the transformative power of community. This is the Willard’s story:
“I joined the Y in 1942. I have been a member for almost 80 years! Makes me feel old to think about it.
“My best friend and I joined because our elder brothers and sisters were also members. That began a long stretch of time of being a Y member, minus a couple of years in the army, serving in the Korean War. I also served for 30 years in the Vermont Army National Guard.
“I am 90, and I credit the Y for keeping me in good health all these years. I come here five days a week to swim and work out at the fitness center. I’ll do six laps, 12 lengths of the pool. I do that twice a week and the other three days I spend in the fitness center, where I use the strength machines at all 14 stations, and I use the rowing machine for five minutes, and then I use the elliptical. I feel refreshed after exercising, loosened up.
“Though I have been a member for almost 80 years, and the world has changed a lot, the Y’s values remain consistent: the mission to serve our community, to be a center for our community, and to help people in our community.”
-Willard Smith
The Y is here for Willard, and we are here for you. Join us at the new Y, opening January 2020.
