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YMCA commits to healthy living
Jeabbe Muhlenberg
bryancountyymca
A rainbow arcs over the Bryan County YMCA. - photo by Photo from BC YMCA webite

This week’s contributor and community leader is Dr. Garrett White, nephrologist at SouthCoast Health. Dr. White has extensive experience with comprehensive and collaborative management of chronic kidney disease, and he has a special interest in early detection and treating complications of kidney disease. He and his family are active in our community and reside here in Richmond Hill.

Dr. White was gracious in answering several questions regarding the YMCA and what the Y means to him and his family.

Q: How has your family been involved in the Richmond Hill YMCA?

A: My family and I are active members of the YMCA community. My wife Lisa, a local Realtor, is on the Richmond Hill YMCA board of managers, and my four children have all worked as summer-camp counselors. And the Y is the primary place I go to for exercise. The Y is an important part of our growth and development as a family. It has been consistent in its stated purpose to serve our family in mind, body and spirit.       

Q: In what ways do you believe the Y benefits our community?

A: As a physician, I understand the importance of exercise as an essential part in overall health and well-being of patients. As the incidence and complexities of most chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity) increases, there will be more need for collaborative and community based programs to manage and prevent progression of these life-threatening diseases. I believe the Y can and must be a part of the solution for this problem affecting all families in Richmond Hill. The Y is already doing this by providing exercise and education programs for families at a great value!

Q: Looking ahead, describe the YMCA you would like Richmond Hill to have within the next five years.

A: The YMCA in the next five years must continue its commitment to health of the Richmond Hill community. I would, as a health-care provider, like to have a place to refer my many patients for their physical and spiritual needs. This will require ongoing excellence in expansion of facilities, equipment and health education, and the vision to see itself as an essential part of the overall health and well-being of patients and families in Richmond Hill.

Thank you, Dr. White, for your time and support of our local YMCA, and thank you to your family for their work as well.

The YMCA makes the community we love a better place to live. One child at a time, one family at a time, our Y programs teach young people important values such as caring, honesty, responsibility and respect. Through a variety of fun activities, they also develop valuable skills while they gain confidence and self-esteem.

You simply can’t put a price on strengthening and enriching the character of a child. Together, we can reach our $50,000 goal to offer programs and services for those who are unable to pay.

Thank you to this week’s heroes:

• Low Country Eye Care

• The Ice Cream Stop

• Anderson Jewelers

• Balbo and Gregg Attorneys at Law P.C.

• Kelly Chiropractic

If you or your company would like to become our hero and make a donation of $1,000 or more, your name or business will be posted in this newspaper, a 2-foot-by-3-foot sign thanking 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 of our community!

Go to our website to donate online. A gift of $350 would allow one child to attend Camp Kodiak, a weeklong overnight camp for children with diabetes. The YMCA puts every dollar to good use, and the money raised in Richmond Hill stays here to assist our residents who need financial support to participate at the Y. Be a hero to your community!

Muhlenberg is a Richmond Hill YMCA board member.

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