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JANICE HIGGINS
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Greetings!
Let’s highlight our YMCA Alumni events and opportunities for fellowship as we conclude 2025.
January: 125 members from our 17 Alumni Chapters embarked on the Royal Caribbean Harmony at Sea ship for a reunion-at-sea cruise. Our trip included stops in Roatan, Honduras, and ports in the Mexican cities of Costa Maya and Cozumel. We also had the opportunity to visit the Houston Space Museum for a virtual re-enactment of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
April: McBurney-Morse Alumni members visited the new offices of Y Fund in mid-town Manhattan with an update on our Retirement Fund management from CEO Michael Cefole, an update on our National Service Project from Project Manager George Painter, and a tour of the new offices. After lunch, we walked over to Grand Central Station for a behind-the-scenes tour. It was a great chance to explore the history and architecture of this historic and iconic terminal.
September: We witnessed the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the completion of Phase I of our National Service Project, in partnership with the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires in Dupree, SD. From inception to completion, this project spanned five years, including raising more than $1 million and recruiting 220 volunteers across 22 waves/weeks who traveled to Dupree at their own expense to help build four tiny homes for families in need of housing.
October: We gathered on Cape Cod for our 4th Annual Tri-Chapter Fall gathering. Fifty-five members from the New England, McBurney-Morse, and Central Atlantic Chapters gathered to share activities such as local excursions, a golf outing, workshops, and shared meals. It was another great opportunity to reconnect and to build new friendships for our first time participants.
December: We hope you will attend our Holiday gathering on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the West Side YMCA, 5 West 63rd St., NYC. Join with fellow YMCA Alumni members for good cheer, reflections, and the holiday spirit, as we wrap up another meaningful year that we’ve shared as YMCA Alumni.
Finally, as I conclude my term as President of our YMCA Alumni Chapter, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your support, enthusiasm, and commitment to our shared mission. It has been an honor to serve alongside such dedicated alumni who embody the spirit of fellowship, service, and our lifelong connection to the YMCA. I am deeply grateful for the friendships made, the stories shared, and the work we accomplished together.
Janice Higgins, President
McBurney-Morse YMCA Alumni Chapter
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IT'S A MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
DEC. 17 AT THE WEST SIDE YMCA
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Please join us for our Chapter Holiday Luncheon, hosted by the YMCA of Greater New York.
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
West Side YMCA
5 West 63rd Street, New York City.
We will send a Zoom link
if you are unable to attend in person.
Program will include a presentation by James Kirschner, Chief Strategy Officer of the Y Fund with his insights on how the Fund manages today's tumultuous political and economic environment.
In addition to good food and conversation, we will discuss member interests for 2026. How can we serve the interests of YMCA Alumni better throughout New York State and Northern New Jersey? It has been suggested we host more meetings around our chapter area.
We also will be seeking nominations for some leadership positions such as Chapter President and Vice President for Membership. Any suggestions reflecting your interests gratefully received.
Stay tuned for further information about a fun post meeting activity. We hope you and your spouse/guest will join us. If you wish to participate via zoom, send us your email address and we will forward the login information several days before the event.
Please register by December 7. Just send an email telling us who is attending to Chuck Ainsworth and Janice Higgins.
Travel hints:
Driving? Why not park outside the city and take a commuter train or bus and then the subway. If you prefer to drive, there are parking garages on the same block as the Y.
From Penn Station and Bus Terminal to West Side Y: Take the number 1 subway uptown to 59th Street, a short ride. Walk to 63rd Street and turn right. Walk 1/2 block to the Y.
From Grand Central station: Take the Shuttle subway to Times Square and then the number1 train as above.
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JAMES KIRSCHNER
OUR CHRISTMAS LUNCH SPEAKER
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Our longtime friend and colleague, James Kirschner, Chief Strategy Officer of the Y Fund, will join us to talk about the strength of the Fund.
James started his YMCA career in 1984 as Membership Director at the McBurney YMCA (on 23rd Street in Manhattan). He rose to VP of Planning & Communications at the YMCA of Greater New York, before returning to McBurney as the Branch Executive Director. After serving in that role, he spent a few years out of the Y to start his own strategic planning practice. Then he returned to the Movement in 2003 at the YMCA Retirement Fund. He has been an adjunct professor at Columbia University, Adelphi University and Springfield College.
As a preview of his visit with the McBurney Morse Chapter, here are some excerpts from the Fund’s 2025 Annual Report:
Since our inception in 1922, the Y Fund has proudly partnered with the YMCA Movement and remains solely focused on direct engagement with hundreds of YMCAs. Supporting their staff, who provide dedicated service to their communities, drives our work every day. That’s why we say that Y retirement is the lifelong benefit of doing good.
Our investment and risk management results tell a story of enhanced long-term sustainability. And our modernized technology and ongoing cyber-security initiatives provide the foundation as our pension representatives strive for excellence in every interaction with our YMCA partners and plan participants.
Fiscal Year 2025 was marked by elevated uncertainty of economic, financial, political, and global sources. Economic growth slowed, policy shifts were frequent, and the world felt less predictable than it did just a few years ago. Despite this challenging backdrop, the Y Fund has stayed focused on its mission of helping Y employees build a secure retirement.
During this period, our portfolio gained 8.9% for FY 25. This result, achieved during a time of heightened volatility and sharp equity market swings, reinforces the strength of our long-term approach. Despite historic uncertainty, our diversified portfolio and long-term investment philosophy allowed us to grow participant balances while improving our already strong funding level. Importantly, every dollar of investment return ultimately benefits YMCA employees and retirees.
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IT'S TIME TO RE-CONNECT
MANAGE IT QUICKLY ONLINE
| A packet was snail-mailed to you earlier this month. But the quick, fast, and safe way to re-connect is clicking on the Re-connect page on our website. Just click the button below. While there, take a stroll through our new all-in-one, totally rebuilt website. Please take a moment to renew your YMCA Alumni membership. Your continued participation supports our chapter’s programs, service efforts, and member activities. | | |
THREE CHAPTERS ENJOY
FALL IN BEAUTIFUL CAPE COD
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The 4th Annual YMCA Alumni Three-Chapter Gathering was held as summer turned to fall on Cape Cod.
Activities such as visiting the JFK Museum, golfing at Twin Brooks Golf Course, visiting and relaxing on pristine Craigville Beach, exploring nearby shopping at Hyannis Village, joining in the fellowship, eating some really good food, and much more. Don't miss out next year.
(Photo by Maryan Ainsworth)
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BOB HASTEDT
TREASURER'S REPORT
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UPDATE:
THE CHARITIES WE SUPPORT
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For many years, our chapter has supported important YMCA charities from our annual budget. In 2024, we sent $100 to five programs, two in the USA and three international ones. Here is a brief update on each. You can find more information on their websites and, if you wish, make an individual contribution as well. Thank you for continuing to help these programs.
Emergency Assistance Fund: It continues to support U.S. YMCA staff facing emergencies. Requests have increased this year.
YMCA of Haiti: The political situation in Haiti has put great pressure on the YMCA’s ability to function.
Jerusalem International YMCA: It has been able to maintain most of its programs despite the Israeli/Gaza war.
YMCA of Seven Council Fires (formerly Sioux YMCA): The Tiny House phase of our YMCA Alumni National Service Project is complete, but the YMCA itself has ongoing needs as it serves one of the poorest regions of the country. It had a fine resident camp season.
Secours Speciaux: The World YMCA staff emergency fund continues to help staff and retirees with emergency medical, pension, natural disaster, and war emergencies.
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WE REMEMBER
PAUL H. SHARAR
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Paul H. Sharar, a long time member of our chapter of YMCA Alumni, directed international initiatives for the YMCA and helped design pioneering programs for educationally and economically disadvantaged youth in NYC during the War on Poverty. He left us August 12, 2025.
He was 94. Paul was born April 27, 1931 in Iowa. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Divinity from Boston University, where he studied at the same time as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.
Paul began his YMCA career at the Ridgewood, N.J. branch before moving to the YMCA of Greater New York, where he served as Executive Director of the Counseling and Testing Service. Later, as part of the YMCA's International Division, he traveled widely to build cultural exchanges, working with colleagues in Japan and Korea.
Paul and his wife, Helen, were longtime members of Ridgewood United Methodist Church and active in local nonprofits.
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A REPORT FROM
SECOURS SPECIAUX
Click the button below to read a report from Secours Speciaux, our World YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund.
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GO SEE, GO DO, GO TRAVEL
2026-2027 TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
| | Join us as we cruise the beautiful Blue Danube in 2027. | |
Be sure to book official YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and your own individual, family and referred friends' travel through Go Travel's expert agents. YMCA Alumni's national budget receives a percentage of all sales and you get the best prices, advice and a smooth booking experience.
2026 will bring choices of spring cruises in the Caribbean with one crossing the pond; an upscale train adventure on the Rocky Mountaineer; a C.I.E. luxury motor coach visit to Spain's amazing cities; cruise Classic Canada from Quebec City to Boston in the fall color season; sail into Alaska before the crowds; and a specialty cruise for knitters. We're starting to add trips for 2027, inclouding a terrific river cruise on the Danube.
Two trips for 2026 are already sold out (Scenic Switzerland by Rail and America's 250th in NY Harbor and Beyond on Cunard's Queen Mary 2). The lesson: Don't delay.
Visit the brand new Travel Club web page with direct access to all trips for details and booking by clicking the button below.
Visit us on Facebook each Travel Tuesday.
Contact YMCA Alumni Travel Club:
(407) 774-2229
ymcaalumni@gotravel.com
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CHAPTER LEADERS
MCBURNEY-MORSE
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President: Janice A. Higgins
Vice President: John Hedbavny
VP/Membership:
VP/ National Service Project: George Painter
Treasurer: Bob Hastedt
Past Co-Chair: Chuck Ainsworth
Newsletter Editor: Bonnie Mairs
Click on name in red to send email.
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The mission of YMCA Alumni is "to provide opportunities for members to Connect, Travel, and Serve while nurturing worldwide Christian fellowship."
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