As we are nearing the home stretch of this year's Annual Fund, we are blown away but not surprised by the generosity you have shown since we agreed to be the chairs of this great initiative.  We really did not know what we were getting ourselves into, but it has been such a positive experience and we have all of you to thank for it.

Since the end of the summer, the Y has done all that it can to provide our great community with as many safe and fun activities as possible along with continuing to look forward to the future needs of the community.  The Y continues to offer cardio and other fitness classes for all age groups and fitness levels.  The Fit Kids after school program continues to hold their program at the Camp K campus while providing transportation to kids who have enrolled in sports or arts classes.

The YMCA Dolphin swim team has 50 kids swimming this year and recently held their first in-person swim meet in almost two years. It takes a lot of time and effort by many to put these meets on and would not be possible without help from coaches, YMCA staff and volunteers. The swim team recently held their annual “Pie Sale” after taking last year off for COVID reasons. All pies were sold, and the money raised through this sale and all concessions at the meet are being used to purchase suits, shirts, and caps for all team members. There are four more in-person meets scheduled this season not including the annual State Swim Meet held at the UMaine campus in Orono.  The kids are swimming fast and enjoying themselves immensely.

The Y-Arts program is going strong.  Next weekend (Dec. 3, 4, and 5) local students will be performing “Seussical” at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta.  They have recently held voice and violin recitals for 12 area students and have two more holiday programs scheduled.  They will be leading a community Carol Sing-Along at the Boothbay Common on Friday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. A Christmas Spectacular is planned for Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. in the YMCA Gym where many youth will sing, dance and have a special production of the Polar Express with the younger Y-Arts members.  The voice students also recently recorded a Christmas program for the All Saints by the Sea Christmas Broadcast.  Last but certainly not least, the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) team will be traveling to Atlanta for the annual JTF competition over Martin Luther King Jr weekend in early 2022.

Beyond all the thriving programs, the YMCA recently announced that they are starting a major renovation project to the main facility.  This is part one of a multistage project that will update the main facility and then move to the Y-Arts Annex, Child Enrichment/Harbor Montessori Center and Camp Knickerbocker once the Main Facility renovation is complete.  These are much needed upgrades that will be more than new flooring and paint.  The upgrades and renovations include increasing accessibility, upgrading the air handling/HVAC systems, mechanical and electrical systems, much needed parking lot reconfiguration and lighting, replacing the roof on the main facility and adding a full solar array on the field house.  Some of the enhancements include the creation of a new multi-purpose studio, a new teaching kitchen, new intergenerational spaces that are brighter and open-air spaces along with new bathrooms, floors, and paint.  Staff have spent many months (and years) planning this and have come up with plans to hopefully minimize any disruption to the renovation and the Y will be open and at full operation during the renovation.

All these great events and changes would not be possible without the generosity and help from all members of the community.  We are truly blessed to live in such a great community where people are willing to support great organizations such as our local YMCA even during these trying times.  We appreciate your continued support and look forward to the final push to meet our annual fund goals.

With great appreciation,

Rob, Sara, Ella and Kayla Watts