BOB WARNOCK

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings!

Thanks to everyone who attended our backyard party in August. Monica and I had a great time and we hope you did too!

As you are aware, I have been appointed as the YMCA Alumni representative to the YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund board. The EAF makes no-strings-attached grants to YMCA staff members and retirees who experience personal financial crises. We didn’t conduct an appeal earlier in the year as we usually do due to the transition from Jim and Mikey Havlick, who have done a much better job in this role than I have done up until now.

While it remains healthy, the Fund has been depleted over the last two years due to natural disasters, including our Los Angeles fires in January. We have some catching up to do. To that end, the EAF board has decided to conduct a nationwide appeal this month, and I am handling the YMCA Alumni wing of that appeal.

A couple of weeks ago, you received an appeal letter from me via email, along with a campaign flyer and a pledge document. If you haven’t made your pledge yet, there is still time. The campaign was also highlighted in the November issue of The Connection.

Just so you know, and as an added encouragement for you to give, our Lyon Chapter ranked dead last among YMCA Alumni chapters in EAF giving last year. We’re a small chapter, but come on! We can and will do better this year, or the EAF Board got the wrong guy for this job. 😉

Thank you in advance for your careful review of the campaign materials and for your generous response. God bless! 

Bob

Bob Wanock, President YMCA Alumni

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME IN LYON COUNTRY

JOIN US DEC. 6 AT MIJARES RESTAURANT

Be sure to join us for our annual Lyon Chapter Christmas Party. The date is Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Mijares Mexican Restaurant, 145 Palmetto Dr., Pasadena. Phone is (626) 792-2763.

Enjoy fellowship, a delicious lunch, and a fun gift exchange. Please bring along a $15 gift to exchange. Enjoy some Christmas music with Bob Warnock and Tom Cram.

Cost for the luncheon is $45 per person, payable to Lyon Chapter YMCA Alumni. Send your check to Phyllis Murphy, Treasurer, 1612 N. First Ave., Upland, CA 91784.

Please RSVP no later than Nov. 24.

REFLECTIONS

NATIONAL SERVICE PROJECT

BY PAUL ANDRESEN, EDITOR

I have had the privilege of being involved with the YMCA Alumni National Service Project committee for the past 5 years, and a proud supporter of this effort.

In September I had the opportunity to be a part of the final work party and dedication ceremonies for the project. In addition to ‘pounding a few nails’, I had the chance to work with other committee members who, up until then, had just been on my computer screen every month.

I know many of you have supported the project as well. THANK YOU! We can be proud of the more than one million dollars we raised to build this village.

If you missed joining the YouTube livestream or the highlights reel, just click on the arrow in the above video of the ceremony. This will bring this project to life for you. 



RE-CONNECT:

MANAGE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW

Our annual YMCA Alumni membership RE-CONNECT campaign is underway now. "Re-Connect" is the fitting new name for the effort to renew all memberships for 2026. You've received the flyer and envelope in your snail mail. The easiest, fastest and safest way to re-connect is to handle it by credit card online. Just click the button below.

If you missed this fun video above in The Connection, just hit the arrow and you'll know why we all re-connect each year.

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 specialty cruises for knitters and widows and widowers.

Check out the next issue of Going Places to be emailed to you Nov. 15, as well. 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

CHAPTER LEADERS

President: Bob Warnock

Treasurer/Membership: Phyllis Murphy

Secretary: 

International Liaison: Mary Lindeman

Lyon Links Editor: Paul Andresen

Member-at-Large: John Green

Member-at-Large: Tim Hardy

Member-at-Large: Randy Bolsinger

Click on name in blue to send email.

Lyon Links is produced by craig altschul + associates