Camaraderie is one of our favorite parts of our Y community. Just ask the morning crew at our Thurston Road YMCA Neighborhood Center.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, Thurston Road hosts the SilverSneakers Classic class for Active Older Adults (AOA). And if you happen to find yourself in the Wellness Center on these days, it’d be hard not to see — and hear, with all the laughs they share — the ladies in their matching t-shirts.
One of whom is Annette Thomas, who has been a Y member for five years. Annette followed her sister to the Y after she retired and had extra time on her hands, and she’s loved every moment of her time with the Y since. Part of that love comes from her connection to her Group Exercise Instructor Jean, who leads SilverSneakers Classic each week. She says that Jean is caring and that she “tells you where you need to get” but she is not too demanding either.
But that’s just a part of it all for Annette. She loves everything about being at Thurston Road.
“We have the best instructor, we have the best members. It’s a joy to come here,” Annette said. “No matter the person, you’re not a number, you’re a member when you’re doing Silver Sneakers with us.”
And, as mentioned, these ladies truly take pride in their matching shirts. Whether it’s the nod to the formerly named Southwest Family YMCA with the orange shirts or the purple ‘Press Play for Summertime Fun’ look, Annette and the morning crew take joy in the camaraderie the shirts bring. They use them as a sign of something much bigger than workout apparel.
“The most important thing about the t-shirts is it recognizes where you’re from and who you represent,” Annette said. “And we represent the Thurston Road Y. Whether you’re sick, you’re ill or you’re well, we got you.”