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FROM THE PRESIDENT
PHILL MORGAN
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Greetings!
I am reflecting on Christmases past, when I was a youth, a teen, a young man, a middle-aged adult, and now an active older adult.
These stages of our lives were filled with change and hope while we actively lived our personal, family, and work lives.
While attending midnight mass as a youth, it was always a goal to not fall asleep before, during, and after church. Spending time with my family and friends brought fond memories of Christmas.
The core reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Traditions come to mind, which include spending Christmas with my grandparents and sitting at the kids’ table for dinner while the adults were gathered around the big table.
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Other traditions were decorating the inside and outside of our home, choosing and then decorating our Christmas tree, and purchasing gifts. As an adult, volunteering to prepare meals and serve at Senior luncheons, and ringing the Salvation Army bell at a local store, helped me live out the value of thinking of others before myself.
As I have shared some brief memories of my Christmas past, you can reflect on your own Christmas memories and share them with family and friends. Listen to others tell their stories as well.
Now, in December 2025, we remember our past, but our present
circumstances may be different. For whatever situation(s) and challenges we find ourselves in today, let us always remember that we are children of God.
We can live our lives through the actions of the message “there are three things that remain—faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
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WE'RE GLAD YOU LIKED IT
WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS
| | So many of you took the time to send along comments after the inaugural issue of Perspective E-zine was released in mid-October. Every single one was truly appreciated. Here are just a very few excerpts: | | BILL CAMERON: “I actually felt emotional when I opened the resurrected Perspective. It looks so much like my beloved Perspective of yore. I’m looking forward to reading future issues.” | | BARB TAYLOR: “I always looked forward to Perspective when I was working. I’m an avid fan of exercise and it’s a major part of my daily life. Looking forward to the next one.” | | JEAN CARMICHAEL: “Loved, loved, loved the first issue of the new Perspective. So easy to read and fun to navigate. Plus articles from all my favorite fitness folks!" | |
DON KERR: “The Perspective E-zine is a breath of fresh air for YMCA Alumni. The inaugural edition is a perfect start to the “new” Perspective. Love, this new communication tool.”
Watch for the Winter Edition of Perspective E-zine in your email Feb. 15, 2026.The theme is "Personal Finance for Retirees."
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MEMORY LANE
with BILL MOSS
'Christmas Tree Pete'
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My first professional position was Program Secretary at the Mesa Branch of the Phoenix Metro YMCA. Ours was a brand-new branch, but we were fortunate enough to have acquired two acres of land for a future facility.
It also had an old farmhouse that we used as our office and a place for committees and other groups to meet.
I don’t know how we financed the purchase, but I do know that we were always looking for ways to pay the mortgage. For instance,
at the end of each school year, we sponsored a carnival on the grounds, and each Y group had a booth for ring toss, darts, and more. We always raised enough to remain current.
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One year, we were visited by a guy from Michigan. He called himself “Christmas Tree Pete.” He was a peculiar kind of fellow. He owned a Christmas Tree farm in Michigan and wanted to bring a truckload of his trees and sell them on our property. (I think he was really looking for a way to spend the winter in Arizona and write it off.) We would keep the profits for our land payment. He offered us a good deal, and we agreed to recruit a sales force from our membership.
Early in December, Christmas Tree Pete showed up with his truckload of trees. I was given the assignment to talk to the local newspaper to get some publicity. I had a contact there who had a daughter in our program. She was always open to helping publicize the Y.
We set a time for her photographer to come down to take pictures. We scheduled it so Christmas Tree Pete could be part of it.
The next day, on the front page above the fold of the Mesa Tribune was a photo of my boss in front of the truckload of trees shaking hands with Christmas Tree Pete. Pete had a huge smile on his face … and an open fly!
| | Bill Moss is a member of the Grand Canyon Chapter, serves on the National Service Project Standing Committee and was editor of this newsletter when it was known as "The Old Guard News." Bill was a nominee for the 2025 F. William Stahl Award. | |
LUNCH IN KANSAS CITY FOR OZARKS
Kansas City area members and potential members of the Greater Ozark Chapter met for lunch in November. Top photo, front row: Carman Guries, Franciene Gill, Karron Wands; back row: Dave Rogers, Bill Ching, Tedd Maxfield, Bruce Wands. Bottom left: John Tiszka, Marty Rogers, Dave Rogers, Lois Keller, Phil Guires, Mary Ching. Bottom right: Mary and Bill Ching and Franciene Gill.
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YEEHAW TO Y'ALL: WEST MEETS SOUTHEAST
Weatherford Chapter members donned their cowboy hats and blue jeans for a cowboy-themed Fall Festival in late October and a return to flood-devastated, but recovering, YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mt., NC. Photos -- Top and bottom left: Nancy and Bill Reese; Nancy and Ed Ryszkiewicz. Right: Sandy and Kevin Dean.
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WORLD YMCA
SECOURS SPECIAUX FUND ISSUES REPORT
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"As we move forward, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness," writes YMCA Alumni's Phil Dwyer in his role as chair of Secours Speciaux, the World YMCA Emergency Retiree and Staff Fund.
"We are continually reviewing our processes to ensure that support reaches those in greatest need as quickly and equitably as possible."
Secours Speciaux has released a report as part of the World YMCA's Vision 2030. Click the button below to read it.
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CELEBRATE THE SEASON
PARTY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY
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The Christmas season brings lots of chapter celebrations all across the country. Put on your Santa hat and join the fun.
Dec. 2: UPPER MIDWEST, St. Paul Town &. Country Club, MN
Dec. 3: MESSER-BRAND., Illinois Area, Chuck's BBQ, Darien, IL
Dec. 4: McCOY, Henry's Hofbrau, Redwood City, CA
Dec. 4: CENTRAL ATLANTIC, Toscana 52, Trevose, PA
Dec. 6: LYON, Majares Mexican Restaurant, Pasadena, CA
Dec. 6: ALLEN-STONE, Zoom
Dec. 8: WEATHERFORD, Zoom
Dec. 10: MESSER-BRAND. Wisconsin Area, 13 North, Groton, WI
Dec. 11: NEW ENGLAND, Public House, Sturbridge, MA
Dec. 17: McBURNEY MORSE, West Side YMCA, NYC and Zoom
Jan. 8: MARSTON, Wurtzbacher home, San Diego, CA
Chaper events are always listed on the Chapter Events & Resources page of our website.
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FUNDRAISING
ISC TO CONDUCT TRAINING IN MEXICO
BY LAURA KAMPERMAN
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When a team of YMCA Alumni members traveled to Tijuana, Mexico last year on behalf of the International Service Corps (ISC), they learned that not only did the Tijuana YMCA need help supporting their teen migrant program, but that the YMCA was financially struggling and not able to maintain their facilities or grow their programs adequately.
Dr. Oscar Velasco, president of YMCA Mexico, told the team that their biggest challenge was a lack of expertise in successful fundraising. This became the primary focus of a strategic plan that was developed by the new Cali-Baja Bi-National YMCA, formed this year between the YMCA of San Diego County and YMCA Mexico.
To address the financial challenges, ISC President Bob Martin began developing a fundraising manual to provide staff and volunteers with the tools they will need to begin fundraising in their communities.
The manual outlines the steps for setting up a $2
million peer-to-peer campaign to provide necessary resources to repair and operate the Casas YMCA and YMCA Sports Clubs.
The campaign will also involve support from the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and the Border Coalition of Albuquerque, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio to share expertise and expand donor outreach.
The goal is to raise $200,000 in the first year and continue growing in subsequent years until $2 million is reached. The manual has been translated into Spanish.
Martin will lead a two-day in-person training on Jan. 28 and 29, allowing for more flexibility, conversation, and work groups.
For the training, Martin will be partnering with Julian Villegas, Vice President of Community Bridging and Engaging for the Bi-National YMCA, along with YMCA Alumni Vice President/Central Dave Rogers who will serve as translator, and Phill Morgan, YMCA Alumni President who will present the ISC purpose and help facilitate the training.
Some 50 registrations have been received for the training, which is being offered at no cost. The long-term plan calls for ongoing consultation and fundraising expertise along with regular follow-up with ISC and the YMCAs of San Diego County and Los Angeles.
(Photos: Bob Martin and Dr. Oscar Velasco)
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GO SEE, GO DO,
GO TRAVEL
2026 AVAILABLE ADVENTURES
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SPRINGTIME IN THE CARIBBEAN AND BEYOND
Your choice of dates and cruises:
March 14 - 21, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Basseterre, St Kitts.
April 18 - 25, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Key West, FL; Bimini, Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos.
April 25 - May 8, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Port Canaveral to Southampton, UK with port stops in Bermuda, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal, and Southampton (close to London), UK (transatlantic cruise).
April 26 - May 2, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Beyond. Round trip from Miami, FL, with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Perfect Day, Cocobay, Bahamas.
(Note: The Celebrity Apex and Beyond are new ships launched in the past few years.)
June 5-12, 2026:
ALASKA - THE LAST FRONTIER: We'll cruise before the huge summer crowds arrive. Depart from Vancouver, B.C., and return to Seattle aboard the Celebrity Edge.
July 20-25, 2026:
STUNNING VISTAS ABOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER: Travel in Premier Class through stunning scenery from Denver to Salt Lake City with highlights viewed from the train’s expansive glass-dome coaches.
Sept. 13-23, 2026:
CLASSIC CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND: A colorful 10-day YMCA Alumni fall cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess along Eastern Canada and New England's Atlantic Coast from Quebec City to Boston.
Oct. 4-13, 2026:
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SPAIN: Embark on an unforgettable guided C.I.E. luxury motor coach tour through the marvelous cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona.
Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2026:
YARN, FUN AND SUN: A unique 7-day Caribbean cruise vacation aboard the Celebrity Apex for our YMCA Alumni members who love to knit.
May 6-14, 2027:
DANUBE DREAMS RIVER CRUISE: Cruise along the peaceful and storied Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way.
SOLD OUT IN 2026: SCENIC SWITZERLAND BY RAIL and AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY CRUISE ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY 2.
Family members and referred friends of YMCA Alumni members are welcome on all YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and to book individual travel. YMCA Alumni receives a portion of all bookings.
Visit us on Facebook each TRAVEL TUESDAY.
CONTACT YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB
(407) 774-2229 Identify yourself as a YMCA Alumni member.
ymcaalumni@gotravel.com
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WFYR AND WORLD COUNCIL
EARLY BIRD SAVINGS END DEC. 19
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Excitement is beginning to build for the "every four years" World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees (WFYR) conference, held in conjunction with the World YMCA Council in Toronto July 19-25 next summer.
YMCA Alumni members planning to attend are eligible for special WFYR pricing (a significant savings), but you must register by Dec. 19, 2025. Simply drop a note to WFYR Registrar and YMCA Alumni member Jerry Prado Shaw right away and he'll take it from there.
It's our chance to connect with fellow YMCA retirees from across the globe while taking part in the most significant event on the YMCA calendar each decade. All this in one of the world's most vibrant cities.
| | Here's one for holiday trivia games. Who was the first President of the YMCA? It was Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftsbury, who served George Williams' YMCA from 1851 until his death in 1885. A prominent social reformer, he took a deep interest in the new YMCA's mission. | | Membership Director Dave Patterson reminds us that our YMCA Alumni Re-Connect time frame is from Oct. through Dec. 31. A post card reminder will be sent to those of you who haven't yet renewed. Save us the postage and re-connect online today. Re-connect by credit card or check. | | WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS | | One of the best ways to wish all of our members a very Merry Christmas each year is to post a video from perhaps the one place in the world -- despite wars, tragedies and polical strife -- Christians, Jews and Muslims come together to celebrate Christmas. Of course, it is the Jerusalem International YMCA. Click the arrow above and enjoy. | | |
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE EVERY WEEK FOR TRAVEL TUESDAY AND SERVICE WEDNESDAY.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
YMCA ALUMNI
| | THE CONNECTION is written, edited and produced by craig altschul + associates (ca+a). It is published 12 times yearly. Next issue: January 3, 2026. | | OUR MISSION: To provide opportunities for members to Connect, Travel, and Serve while nurturing worldwide Christian fellowship. | | IMPORTANT NOTE: Please think twice when unsubscribing to any unsolicited email. If it has been sent to you by Constant Contact, they are not allowed, by law, to send any more emails to you, including from YMCA Alumni. Just flick away emails you don't want -- but please don't "unsubscribe." We can get you re-subscribed ONLY ONCE. Send us an email if you are not receiving our newsletters or you have accidentally unsubscribed and we will try to reinstate you. --editor | | | |
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