YOUR GIFTS IN ACTION

Camp Corral is a free summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military service members, hosted at YMCA Camp Gorham and 17 other sites across the country.

This unique experience brings together military kids from all walks of life in a safe, fun space where they can connect, share, and simply be kids. As Holly, parent of three campers, shared: “We’re more like extended family even though we’re from all parts of the USA.”

YMCA Camp Gorham is proud to partner with Camp Corral, continuing its mission to serve those who serve. Your generosity helps keep this life-changing experience free for military families.

Barbara Barg always knew that exercise was important. It was in 2019, when Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer, that she discovered how truly transformational coming to the Y could be. Enrolling in the LIVESTRONG and STAYSTRONG Programs at the Schottland Family YMCA after her diagnosis, Barbara found community, improved her flexibility, and even took 7 years off her metabolic age! According to Barbara, “it was like having an appointment at the gym!” Which was a good thing, of course. Moreover, she lights up, exuding strength and confidence, while discussing boxing. Putting on boxing gloves and throwing forceful punches made her feel more empowered than she had ever felt before.

At the Y, Barbara is fighting cancer one day, one appointment and one punch at a time. Donations to the YMCA Annual Campaign make it possible for more cancer survivors, like Barbara, to participate in the LIVESTRONG and STAYSTRONG programs where they improve their lives and remain resilient before, during and after treatment.

Not long after joining the Y, Rob received unexpected news: he had been diagnosed with two forms of cancer. His condition made it difficult to work out, but that’s when the Y introduced him to the LIVESTRONG program. “It was in many ways a life saver,” Rob recalls. “Because of my physical condition, I couldn’t work out a great deal, but that LIVESTRONG program was something that allowed me to do some exercise to maintain a little bit of my fitness.”

For Rob, the program gave him more than strength. “Much more importantly, there are wonderful people enjoying the LIVESTRONG program and we became our own little group of friends, people that I would never have met otherwise.”

Rob’s story shows that the biggest gift the Y offers is not only fitness, but friendship, support and community. Through life’s hurdles and biggest obstacles, YMCA members can count on programs, services and staff to be there for them.

Incredible generosity to the YMCA Annual Campaign makes it possible for more cancer survivors, like Rob, to participate in the LIVESTRONG program where they find strength, friendship and community.