he YMCA of the Chesapeake is pleased to announce the return of its annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28. The 2024 event will be hosted virtually and in person at seven locations across the Eastern Shore.

“We invite our neighbors across the Eastern Shore to bring their family and friends and join us for this Thanksgiving Day tradition,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “The Turkey Trot is a guaranteed healthy way to start your holiday and do something good for your community.”

Proceeds from the Turkey Trot are dedicated to the YMCA’s Annual Fund, which supports a multitude of programs for all ages across the Shore. This includes local food drives, youth sports, Enhance Fitness (an exercise program for seniors), LiveStrong (a program for adult cancer survivors), Rock Steady (a program for those battling Parkinson’s Disease), child care, swim lessons, mentoring programs, before and after school care, and the YMCAs Open Doors Program, which ensures that no member of the community is turned away from a Y facility or program due to an inability to pay.

Those participating virtually can walk or run a 5K (3.1 miles) route of their choosing whenever it is convenient between Sunday, November 19th, and Saturday, November 25th. The virtual Turkey Trot is an ideal option for those who travel for the holiday, but still want to support their local Y and its programs.

Each in-person Turkey Trot will be a 5K (3.1 miles) course held on Thanksgiving Day at 8:30 AM. Participants can run or walk as a team, with family (including their dogs), or on their own. All ages and abilities are welcomed and encouraged.

In-person Turkey Trots are being hosted by seven of the eleven YMCA branches across the Eastern Shore, including the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA in Centreville, Easton Family YMCA at Peachblossom, the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA in Salisbury, the Cecil County Family YMCA in Perryville, the Pauline F. and David Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge, the Kent County Family YMCA in Chestertown, and the David Landsberger Family YMCA in Chincoteague, Virginia.

Adult registration is $43 through the end of October, with prices increasing next month. Youth and pet registrations are also available. To register, please visit www.ymcachesapeake.org.

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About the YMCA of the Chesapeake
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.  

The YMCA of the Chesapeake will host a membership drive throughout the month of September and waive the $75 joining fee at all of its eleven locations on the Eastern Shore.

“With the start of a new school year, September is a great time to join, or rejoin, the Y and make a commitment to yourself, your family and your community,” said Robbie Gill YMCA of the Chespeake’s CEO. “The Y is more than a fitness center, more than a pool, and more than a meeting space. It is a supportive community inspiring people of all ages, abilities and incomes to live healthier in mind, body and spirit.”

YMCA memberships not only provide access to a facility, but also support programs that strengthen our communities and support the organization’s programs and operations.

YMCA of the Chesapeake memberships include access to all eleven YMCA of the Chesapeake locations from Elkton to Chincoteague as well as all Ys in Maryland and participating Ys across the Country. Members also benefit from more than 300 land and water fitness classes, free “stay and play” childcare while they work out and discounts on youth sports, swim lessons, day camps and other enrichment programs.

Through the Y’s Open Doors Program, no individual or family is turned away due to financial hardship, and membership fees can be reduced for those who qualify. The Open Doors Program is made possible through the generosity of members, volunteers and community donors through the Annual Campaign.

To learn more about joining the YMCA of the Chesapeake, visit www.ymcachesapeake.org/membership or stop by a local branch. Branch locations are available at www.ymcachesapeake.org/locations.

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About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 50,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico and Worcester Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $2,000,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves. 

 

Space is still available in 2024 YMCA of the Chesapeake summer camps.

“Camps at the Y are all about discovery,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “Kids will be able to try a wide variety of programs ranging from sports camps to the arts, to themed day camps and more, that will surely spark a child’s interest, excitement and creativity.”

 Camp programs are offered at the Cecil County YMCA, Easton Family YMCA, Henson Camp Cook in Salisbury, Kent County Family YMCA, Lower Shore Family YMCA, Perkins YMCA in St. Michaels, Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA and Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge.

Most camps operate Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm with before and after camp care available at no extra charge.

YMCA of the Chesapeake day camps are centered around improving the well-being of children and support each child’s individuality. They intentionally focus on three areas of development: friendships, accomplishment and belonging. The YMCA team creates a safe and vibrant environment that allows children to:

• Learn and master skills that nurture their passions, talents and potential.
• Bond with new friends and positive staff role models to create lasting memories.
• Know they belong so they feel welcome and free to express who they are.

For more information about specific programs and to register, visit https://ymcachesapeake.org/programs/camps/summer-camp

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About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico and Worcester Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves. 

The YMCA of the Chesapeake (YOC) announces changes to its leadership and the addition of a new position, Director of Pickleball.

Wendy Palmer will transition from her role as the Executive Director at the Easton Family YMCA to serve as the Director of Chronic Disease and Prevention programs. Shania Gregory will return to Easton as the Executive Director for the Easton Family YMCA and the Y @ Washington, and Jon Beasley has been hired as the new Director of Pickleball for the YOC.

“I’m excited to announce these new roles and to welcome Jon Beasley to our team,” said Jennifer Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake COO. “Wendy has a rich history of community impact on the Eastern Shore and has been involved in Chronic Disease Prevention programming for six years.

Shania Gregory grew up at the Easton Family Y as and has been able to develop strong community relations through her history at the Easton Y as Membership Director, Operations Director, and Executive Director at the Pauline F. and W. David Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge.  And as Pickleball continues to grow nationwide, we’re so thankful to have Jon step into this new role working to expand our pickleball program across the Eastern Shore. Bringing people and communities together has never been more important to our mission and to the health of the communities we serve.  Wendy, Shania and Jon are going to be a huge help as we work toward that goal. We can do more, and will do more with their leadership.”

Palmer is a native of the Eastern Shore, moving to the Eastern Shore when she was a child.  She joined the Y in 2017 and has developed a passion for the YOC Chronic Disease Prevention stemming from when she started with Enhance Fitness in 2018.  During her time with the Y, she has developed our RockSteady, LiveStrong, and Enhance Fitness programs and has worked to expand these programs beyond Talbot County and into other YMCA branches within the YOC Association.  Combined, these programs have served over 800 individuals and helped provide a better quality of life for participants as well as their families and loved ones. These programs are free to the community, and in this new role, she will work to establish Chronic Disease Prevention programming in every community the Y of the Chesapeake serves.

“The Y’s mission has always been focused on helping people live their healthiest lives and reach their full potential in mind, body, and spirit,” said Palmer.  “I am proud to work for an organization that is making health intervention programs a priority.  I look forward to jumping into my new role so I can bring each community we serve these meaningful and impactful programs.”

Shania Gregory served as the Executive Director of the Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge for the past three years and is an Easton native. Her family has roots in the “The Hill” community in Easton, one of the country’s first free black communities dating back to the early 1700s. The Y has had a presence in Talbot County since 1857 and now serves 1 out of three adults and 1 out of two kids in the County through Y programs, partnerships, and collaboration. Gregory has seen the impact the Y has on communities and frequently shares how the Y changed the course of her youth.

“I am looking forward to coming back home to reconnect and engage with Easton members and to continue to make our youth a priority; showing them that anything is possible and dreams do come true,” said Gregory. “I am an example that you can come from tough beginnings and rise to become anything you put your mind to.”

Jon Beasley has lived on the Eastern Shore of MD since 1990 and has been an avid pickleball player for the past 4 years. During that time, he’s attended at least 20 tournaments. Pickleball has risen in popularity and is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and on the Shore. The YOC offers Pickleball at seven of its eleven branches with 34 courts that welcome over 3,000 people.

“I started playing [pickleball] right before COVID, and it was crucial in helping me get through that tough time,” said Beasley. “My hope is to align the YMCA of the Chesapeake’s branches to bring more continuity to the pickleball programming, inspire even more joy in the YMCA’s pickleball community, and build excitement to grow our community and the sport all across the Eastern Shore.”

To learn more about Chronic Disease programming contact, Wendy Palmer at [email protected]. To learn more about the Easton Family YMCA and/or the Y @ Washington contact Shania Gregory at [email protected]. To find out more about Pickleball contact Jon Beasley at [email protected]

About the YMCA of the Chesapeake
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore, Ys engage 40,000 members and their families, regardless of age, income or background, to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the Shore’s health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. 

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is delighted to announce that the 2023 YMCA Turkey Trot broke records again this year, with approximately 1,800 runners, raising nearly $200,000 for the Annual Fund through sponsorship and runner registrations. The Annual Fund supports programming across all eleven YMCA of the Chesapeake branches on the Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are beyond thankful to our participants and sponsors from across the Eastern Shore whose generous contributions made this year’s Turkey Trot such a huge success,” said Robbie Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO. “Each year, this wonderful Thanksgiving tradition is a chance to come together, give thanks for our blessings, and give back to our friends and neighbors in need.”

The event’s proceeds are dedicated to the YMCA’s Annual Fund, which supports a multitude of programs for all ages across the Shore. This includes local food drives, youth sports, Enhance Fitness (an exercise program for seniors), LiveStrong (a program for adult cancer survivors), Rock Steady (a program for those battling Parkinson’s Disease), child care, swim lessons, mentoring programs, before and after school care, and the YMCAs Open Doors Program, which ensures that no member of the community is turned away from a Y facility or program due to an inability to pay.

In-person Turkey Trots were hosted by seven of the eleven YMCA branches across the Eastern Shore, including the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA, Easton Family YMCA at Peachblossom, the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA in Salisbury, the Cecil County Family YMCA in Perryville, the Pauline F. and David Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge, the Kent County Family YMCA in Chestertown, and the David Landsberger Family YMCA in Chincoteague, Virginia. In addition, a virtual Turkey Trot was also available.

The top 2023 Turkey Trot sponsors included: Willow Construction, Aetna Maryland, Becker Morgan Group, Life Fitness Division 501, Shore United Bank, Farm Creek Insurance, C & C Drywall Contractors North, Inc., Dorchester Family Medicine, LLC, Eastern Shore Tents and Events, FPC Distribution, Iron Works Inc., M & T Foundation, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, PNC Bank, Preston Automotive Group and Tapmans Refrigeration.

 

The YMCA of the Chesapeake has launched its 2023 Annual Campaign at all eleven of its locations across Delmarva. Funds raised through the Annual Campaign support the organization’s programs and operations and ensure that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.

The YMCA has set the ambitious goal of raising more than $1 million through this year’s fundraising effort that continues through the end of the year. Donations may be made to support the initiatives of a specific branch or designated toward the YMCA’s greatest need.

“We cannot thank our donors enough for their continued support,” said Robbie Gill, CEO of the YMCA of the Chesapeake. “Thanks to their generosity, we are able to empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive. This is a great opportunity to give back and support our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, can access our programs and services. We are encouraging all of Delmarva to step up this year and participate in our Annual Campaign so we can continue providing the support and opportunities our communities rely on.”

Funds raised through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign support:

• Local Food Drives
• Youth Sports
• Enhanced Fitness (an exercise program for seniors)
• Livestrong (a program for adult cancer survivors)
• Rock Steady (a program for those battling Parkinson’s disease)
• Child Care
• Swim Lessons
• Mentoring Programs
• Before and After Care
• The Open Doors Program which ensures YMCA memberships and programs are available to everyone

Individuals are encouraged to donate online by visiting www.ymcachesapeake.org/give/giving.

The YMCA of the Chesapeake is hosting its annual Fall Membership Campaign throughout the month of October and will waive the $75 joining fee at all eleven of its locations on the Eastern Shore.  

“With the changing of the seasons, October is a great time to join, or rejoin, the Y and make a commitment to yourself, your family and your community,” said Jennifer Gill, YMCA of the Chesapeake Chief Operating Officer. “With the Y, you’re not just a member of a facility; you’re part of a cause. With a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being, and supporting our neighbors, Y membership not only brings about meaningful change in yourself, but also in your community.”

YMCA memberships not only provide access to a facility, they also support programs that strengthen our communities, support the organization’s programs and operations and ensure that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.

YMCA of the Chesapeake memberships include access to all eleven YMCA of the Chesapeake locations from Elkton to Chincoteague as well as all Ys in Maryland and participating Ys across the Country. Members also benefit from more than 300 land and water fitness classes, free “stay and play” childcare while they exercise and discounts on youth sports, swim lessons, day camps and other enrichment programs. 

Through the Y’s Open Doors Program, no individual or family is turned away due to financial hardship, and membership fees can be reduced for those who qualify. The Open Doors Program is made possible through the generosity of members, volunteers and community donors through the Annual Campaign. 

To learn more about joining the YMCA of the Chesapeake, visit www.ymcachesapeake.org/membership or stop by a local branch. Branch locations are available at www.ymcachesapeake.org/locations.