Editor,
Recently, I spoke with Jimmy Burnsed, county commissioners chairman and South State Bank senior vice president. Jimmy is an active member of our YMCA. He believes that the YMCA enhances the future growth of Richmond Hill. Read below this community leader’s response to the questions I posed.
Q: How does our local YMCA impact the future growth of Richmond Hill?
A: When families are making decisions about where to live, the first thing they look for is the quality of life in the community. And at the top of that list is the quality of the school system. Along with that, I believe the YMCA enhances a community as well-rounded and family oriented.
Q: What aspects of the YMCA make it an anchor institution in regard to schools, medical offices and grocery stores, in our community?
A: A vibrant YMCA supports the quality of life for families by emphasizing the tenets of a healthy body, as well as mind and spirit. It is important in any community to have an organization that reinforces the Christian teachings of our churches. When I visit our Y, I am impressed by the number of our military personnel who are there working out. Again, a tribute to our community.
Q: Looking ahead, describe the YMCA you would like Richmond Hill to have within the next five years.
A: Growing up in Savannah, my mother would take me to the downtown Y, where I swam and played basketball. I would hope that in the next five years, our community would get behind the effort to build a complete Y facility. Our community will continue to grow, and we must make sure that the quality of life is sustained and enhanced.
Jimmy Burnsed, we thank you for your dedication and support of our YMCA!
In my last letter, I wrote about our annual campaign to raise $50,000. This campaign provides children in our community an opportunity to attend summer camp, youth programs, and after-school programs, even if their families cannot afford the cost. It also provides our seniors a place to socialize and maintain their agility and strength.
If you or your company would like to make a donation and give $1,000 or more, your name will be posted in this newspaper, a sign that thanks you or your company will be placed in the YMCA for one year, and you will also receive a yard sign to place at your business or home that recognizes you as a hero at the YMCA!
Thank you to these 2016 Richmond Hill YMCA Heroes:
• Steve Asplund – GeoVista Credit Union
• Brad and Carrie Brookshire
• Nikki and Trace Palmer – Palmer Chiropractic
• Carey Daughtry – Daughtry ATA Martial Arts
• Pastor Nicholas Batzig – New Covenant Presbyterian Church
• Herman Mullis – YMCA program director
Hope to see your name or company’s name next week as a hero!
Jeanne Muhlenberg