Somerset Hills YMCA Awarded $15,000 Grant From the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund

Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund Grant is Part of $1 Million New Jersey Initiative to Benefit

Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Children in the State

(BASKING RIDGE NJ) -- November 21, 2011 – The Somerset Hills YMCA has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund through its 2011 New Jersey grant initiative. The one-time grants were given by the Fund to alleviate economic challenges and sustain organizations that favorably impact children across New Jersey. The Somerset Hills YMCA was one of 54 organizations selected from a pool of more than 500 proposals from charities requesting funding from across the state.

“The Somerset Hills YMCA takes pride in offering all children the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. The role of any Y is to support its community, and our programs are based on the unique needs and interests of our members and neighbors. We have designed more than twenty programs that offer our special needs population a range of activities and interests, many of which are free or subsidized. This Toys ”R” Us grant means that we will be able to reach out to more children with special needs in our neighborhoods and provide them with the kind of experienced and nurturing care that they need,” said Fred Wasiak, Chief Operating Officer at the Somerset Hills YMCA.

The Somerset Hills YMCA has been offering programs and services to children for sixty years, believing that the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and that confident kids today become contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

“Of the many proposals we received, the Somerset Hills YMCA demonstrated a distinctive commitment to supporting children in New Jersey,” said Kathleen Waugh, Chairman, Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund. “With additional support from the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund this year, we hope that the impact of its meaningful work will be even greater to further our collective efforts in our state to keep kids safe and help them in times of need.”

Grants will support a wide array of unique programs and services aligned with the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund mission of keeping children safe and helping them in times of need. Funding was awarded to nonprofit organizations that demonstrated an immediate and specific need and directly impacted children in the state. Kids in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties will benefit from the impact of the grant initiative through community-based and statewide charities. To view the complete list of recipients, please visit: Toysrusinc.com/charitable-giving/2011NJGrants

The $15,000 grant for the Somerset Hills YMCA was earmarked to support two specific programs: Carousel Kids that offers a self-contained program for children with disabilities with a 1:1 or 1:2 aide to participant ratio, and the Summer Camp Inclusion program that enables children with disabilities to be mainstreamed into traditional summer camp, also with the help of trained aides or ‘shadows.’ The funding will be used to expand these programs in order to serve more children with disabilities in Somerset County.

Toys “R” Us, Inc. has a long history of giving back to the communities it serves by keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. The company and the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund together have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in product donations and monetary grants annually to a wide range of nonprofit organizations in New Jersey. For 38 years, Toys “R” Us, Inc. has been based in New Jersey with more than 4,500 employees across more than 45 stores, regional offices, the corporate headquarters and the company’s largest retail distribution center in the country.  For more information about Toys “R” Us, Inc. charitable giving and the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund, please visit Toysrusinc.com/charitable-giving.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

About the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund

The Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund is a public charity affiliated with Toys “R” Us, Inc., a company that unabashedly declares “We love kids!” The core mission of the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund is to keep children safe and help them in times of need. Since it was founded in 1992, the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund has contributed millions of dollars to qualified organizations that support that mission, including those providing disaster relief to children and families who are victims of large-scale crises. The Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund also provides grants to leading organizations that support children with special needs.  Primary fundraising activities include the annual Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund Gala, a private, invitation-only event that showcases the work of the Fund and raises money to support its many beneficiaries. This annual benefit has raised more than $95 million since its inception in 1985 and is one of the largest single-night fundraising events held in New York City.

Health Summit Offers Day of Health and Education

BASKING RIDGE, NJ – A group of area health and community organizations is once again hosting a one day Senior Health Summit on Thursday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge. The $10 non-refundable fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, workshops and exercise classes.  Keynote speaker Dr. Deborah Neiman, will present “Prescription Exercise.” 

           

“Seniors make up a large portion of our population which is why learning about the latest health trends and resources is so important. We welcome everyone as they pursue a healthy and rewarding lifestyle,” said Kate Russo, Senior Director of Membership Services at the Somerset Hills YMCA. 

Morning and afternoon workshop topics include Balance and Fall Prevention; Gentle Yoga for Strength and Flexibility; Internet 101; Exercise for Mental Health; Back Care; Nutrition for Diabetes; Healthy Aging Brain; Guided Imagery for Stress Reduction; ‘Choosing the Medicare Plan that Works Best For Me;’ Travel and Safety for Seniors; It’s 21 For a Reason – how to educate your grandchildren on the proper age for drinking. Participants may also participate in five health screenings: Balance; Respiratory; Hearing; Bone Density; and Flu Shots. 

The event, developed to empower, educate and engage seniors in the Somerset Hills area on the use of local health and community resources to promote optimal health and well-being, is sponsored by Bernards Township Health Department, Bernards Township Recreation, Somerset County Office on Aging, Somerset Hills YMCA, and the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills. It is also supported by Atlantic Health Systems, the Somerset Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center. Registration forms are available at above listed local organizations. More information may be obtained by calling the Somerset County Office on (908) 704 6346.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.somersethillsymca.org/, and follow us on Facebook.

Somerset Hills YMCA’s International Festival Celebrates Diversity in the Somerset Hills Community.

Marking the sixteenth year in this festival’s history, the Somerset Hills YMCA will present the International Festival on Sunday, October 9th, 1:00-4:00pm at

140 Mt. Airy Road

in Basking Ridge. This exciting event brings together community organizations and individuals who represent the diverse people of the world and of our community.

Themed ‘One World, One Family’ to highlight the many colors of diversity in the Somerset Hills community, the festival is supported by a strong committee of enthusiastic volunteers, and will feature music and dance performances, food and art that represent more than twenty countries. Door prizes will be offered. Additionally, people from the community will showcase samples of international cuisine, clothing, pottery, books and more from their own countries.

International outreach will be highlighted, with the Somerset Hills YMCA sharing information on its official partnership with the YCS YMCA in Skopje, Macedonia. Information on an upcoming travel opportunity for young adults to attend a trip to Macedonia will be available.

The event is open to members and non members of the Y.  A donation of $10 per family or $5 per individual is suggested to benefit the YMCA World Service Fund, which supports YMCA outreach in developing countries. For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call Sylvia Velez on 908-630 3530.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

10th Annual Flag Day 5K Race at Somerset Hills YMCA

The rescheduled 10^th Annual Flag Day 5K took place Saturday, September 24^th hosted by the Somerset Hills YMCA, Basking Ridge NJ. This year’s Flag Day 5K marked the 9^th year that the Y is donating all event proceeds to benefit Community Hope’s Hope for Veterans Transitional Housing Program ® for homeless veterans. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, a documented advocate for veterans and Community Hope, is a frequent visitor to the event when he is in district.

Somerset Hills YMCA Invites Everyone to "Party Animals Wanted"!

This Saturday, September 24th, the Somerset Hills YMCA invites all members of the community to Party Animals Wanted, a full day of fun and celebration! There are many things to celebrate here at the Y!

Kicking off at 10 a.m. our Strong Dogs Day will take place in the backyard of our facility. Strong Dogs Day will include several activities such as a dog wash, obstacle course, pet grooming, and fun for all two and four legged friends! At 11 a.m., Father Rick Morley from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will bless the hounds. This year’s "Top Dog" sponsor is TD Bank. Camp Bow-Wow is the "Good Dog" sponsor, Tarheel Total Pet Care is our “Wagging Tail” sponsor, and The Stables, Ltd., K-9 Miracles, Value Pet Care and Bernardsville Animal Hospital are "Belly Scratch" sponsors. Wegman’s Bridgewater store is also a food donor for the event.

Following our Strong Dogs Day, our rescheduled Flag Day 5K race and 1-mile walk will begin at 3 p.m. This 10th annual event benefits Community Hope’s Hope for Veterans Transitional Housing Program for homeless veterans. If you previously registered for our race back in June, when it was rescheduled due to excessive heat, you are automatically re-registered for this Saturday’s race. If you’re a new runner, you’re welcome to sign up online at Community Hope's website. (http://www.communityhope-nj.org/)

After the race, join us for us for a free community-wide family picnic, celebrating our 60th anniversary! Shop Rite has donated food for the race & picnic, and our local Ridge Tavern is also a sponsor of the picnic. We welcome your family and friends to our event, where we’ll have a picnic, games & giveaways, face painting, sack races, spin art, an animal balloonist (donated by Currier’s Magical Mania), and a fun DJ!

We hope everyone has a chance to stop by the Y this Saturday for our biggest family event of the year! Feel free to call our Welcome Center for more information on any of these events (908) 766-7898, or visit our website http://www.somersethillsymca.org/.

For more information about Strong Dogs Day and opportunities to sponsor or be a vendor at the event, please visit the Somerset Hills website, or contact Peter at pbarry@somersethillsymca.org or 908-630-3531.

For more information about the 5K run and one-mile mile walk and the 60th anniversary celebration, please contact Jackie, at jsurette@somersethillsymca.org or 908-766-7898, ext. 362.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Summer Camp for Two Russian Orphans through YMCA's Camp Inspiration Program

Camp Inspiration at the Somerset Hills YMCA, in partnership with the Bernardsville News, is sponsoring two Russian orphan brothers, Kirill, aged 7, and Alexander, aged 5. The boys arrived in N.J. this week and are staying with a local family for the summer. Clothing donations are needed for the two brothers, and we have high hopes that we can find a loving family willing to adopt these sweet boys.

The two brothers live in an orphanage in Russia’s Far East, about a ten hour flight east of Moscow. They will spend nearly four weeks with Janet and Brian of Bernardsville, giving the boys a golden opportunity to experience life in a functional family, broadening their horizons and giving them a platform to learn about another culture, particularly through play with other children close to their age.

“Kirill and Alexander will arrive with nothing more than a backpack holding their toothbrush, comb, and possibly a spare change of clothes,” said Janet. “We will be responsible for all food, clothing and medical expenses they incur while here. During their stay, we will also be working closely with the adoption agency to find them a forever family.” So, Janet and Brian who are members of the Somerset Hills YMCA, reached out to the Y and asked for their support in providing a summer camp experience for the two boys. Bob Lomauro, President and CEO of the Y said, “Supporting Janet and Brian’s compassion for these young boys is not only the right thing to do but is a privilege. This is a wonderful story of a local family giving two boys, who obviously have been through so much, an opportunity to be hopeful for a better life.”

On July 11^th the two boys will begin Adventure Camp at the Y which offers each camper the opportunity to participate in Sports & Games, Science & Nature, and Arts & Crafts led by a specialist in these areas.

Camp Inspiration can help make sure that Kirill and Alexander enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a YMCA summer camp. Camp Inspiration is a scholarship program, sponsored by the Bernardsville News and the Somerset Hills YMCA, designed to give children in need the opportunity to attend a YMCA day or resident summer camp. With a focus on caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, camp counselors encourage children to try new experiences, make friends, learn new skills and, most of all, to have fun.

Tax deductible contributions to Camp Inspiration can be made online the Somerset Hills YMCA website, or by sending at your check to Camp Inspiration, c/o Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mount Airy Rd, Basking Ridge N.J., 07920. Please earmark your gift ‘Camp Inspiration’. Every dollar donated goes toward camping costs. All administrative expenses are handled by the Bernardsville News and the Somerset Hills YMCA.

Unless anonymous, donors will be recognized each week in the newspaper in gratitude for their gift.

The six levels of giving include: Caring: up to $50, Honesty: up to $100, Respect: up to $150, Responsibility: up to $200, Leadership: up to $500, and Inspiration: $500 and above

For more information about Alexander and Kirill, or hosting children for the summer, please contact Janet at janbriC@yahoo.com

Free Fridays at the Somerset Hills YMCA during July and August

Free Fridays at the Somerset Hills YMCA during July and August.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is offering all members of the community the opportunity to ‘Try the Y For Free’ every Friday during the months of July and August. Families and individuals can enjoy full access to both facilities at Riverwalk and Mount Airy, as well as enjoying programs such as spinning, zumba, group classes, basketball, swimming, rock climbing and much more for free.

“If you have been wanting to give us a try, it’s a perfect time,” said Kate Russo, Senior Director of Membership Services. “Come alone or bring a friend – either way, you’ll find a warm welcome and a wonderful selection of programs from which to choose.”

For more information, please contact Jackie Surette on 908.766.7898 ext 362 or jsurette@somersethillsycma.org

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

Splash into Safety at the Somerset Hills YMCA: A Week-long Program of Safety and Swimming

In an effort to help save lives, the Somerset Hills YMCA is offering all children ages 3 - 10 yrs in our community Y-Splash – a week-long program of swimming designed to help kids stay safe in and around water. The program will run Monday through Friday, from June 20 – 24^th at the participant’s choice of one of these times: 1:00pm; 1:30pm; 3:45pm; 4:20 pm; 4:55 pm and 5:30pm. This program, inspired by the Y’s mission of serving all individuals regardless of their ability to pay, costs just $20 per child and is open to every child in the community, members and non members alike.

This program will be held at the Somerset Hills YMCA,

140 Mt. Airy Road

. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years. “YMCAs have traditionally been the places where young people learned not only swimming skills, but also the importance of playing safely in the water to prevent injury,” said Erica Schaefer, Director of Youth Aquatic Programs, “That’s why Y-Splash is so important, because it teaches kids basic swimming skills and safety practices, so they can have fun in the water and know how to play safely.”

Online registration for Y-Splash will begin June 1^st at 10:00am at www.somersethillsymca.org. YMCA membership is not required, however, a login and password are needed to register and can be obtained by emailing kdigiovanni@somersethillsymca.org. For more information, please call 908.766.7898 x 503.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

 

Mental Health Week 2011 (May 9 - May 13) Pivots on Community Support

Mental Health Week 2011 Pivots on Community Support

Somerset Hills YMCA to Host 3^rd Annual Community Education Event

Mental Health Week, an educational collaboration between the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP) and the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ), will run Monday, May 9, through Friday, May 13, at the Mount Airy facility of the Somerset Hills YMCA. A variety of topics will be covered, some of which include Bullying and children with special needs children: what helps, what hurts; Keeping the faith during difficult times; spirituality and mental health; Generation text: raising well-adjusted kids in an age of instant everything; Mental Health First Aid for the Somerset Hills -- and much more.

A compelling theme of the week will pivot on family and community resilience. Experienced psychologists and therapists will discuss issues that the Somerset Hills community has specifically suffered, such as domestic tragedies and the impact of 9/11, and talk about how the momentous support of various layers of family, friends and community relationships have brought residents through their suffering. Nicci Spinazzola, a trainer at Mental Health Association in New Jersey, a licensed marriage and family therapist and Clinical Director at the Somerset County Richard Hall CMHC, will present The Resilient Family – ‘Making it Work’ on Monday May 9 from 2:30 – 3:30pm. Spinazzola said, "I have been working with some of the 9/11 families in this community for ten years now and it is remarkable how I consistently hear one perspective. For each 9/11 anniversary, whether a loved one returns to the 9/11 site or revisits it in their hearts and minds, what I continue to hear is that they have been helped through these days and their darkest times by family, friends and their faith in the future. Community support is so important in their healing. I am beginning to see some of them now being able to go back to a time when they had had joy and pull that feeling into the present and enjoy what they once had. Family, friend and community support is key to that milestone."

A full schedule can be viewed on the Y website at www.somersethillsymca.org under 'Latest news.' All members of the community are invited to attend these free (unless otherwise noted) events to benefit from the wealth of information and resources that will be available. For more information, please contact Susan Visser at 908.766.7898 ext. 553 or at svisser@somersethillsymca.org.

Please connect with us on Facebook for more information: http://www.facebook.com/SomersetHillsYMCA

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Mental Health Week 2011 to Feature Nationally-Known Experts & Authors

Somerset Hills YMCA to Host 3^rd Annual Community Education Event

Mental Health Week, an educational collaboration between the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP) and the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ), will run Monday, May 9, through Friday, May 13, and will include presentations and workshops by a variety of noted experts in behavioral health, parenting, special needs and public health and education.  All members of the community are invited to attend these free (unless otherwise noted) events; a complete schedule can be viewed at www.somersethillsymca.org under Latest News.

DR. MONICA INDART: 

“Complicated Grief & Bereavement: Living with the Pain of Loss”

Kicking off the week is Monica Indart, PsyD, an internationally recognized thought leader with more than 25 years of experience working in crisis intervention, trauma, grief and loss in both private practice and around tragic global events including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the southeast Asian tsunami of 2004 and  the genocides in Uganda and Rwanda.  Dr. Indart, a licensed clinical psychologist, has developed a widely-used disaster crisis counselor certification program, has provided consultation to the United Nations and has traveled around the world working toward recovery and peace building with survivors of torture and other traumatic events. Dr. Indart’s talk during Mental Health Week, “Complicated Grief & Bereavement:  Living with the Pain of Loss,” will weave together her vast international experience and observations with practical counsel for individuals and families dealing with trauma and grief.

Monday, May 9:   9:00 am – 10:30 am, Multi-Purpose Room, Main Level, Somerset Hills YMCA

DR. MICHAEL OSIT: 

“Generation Text:  Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything”

Psychologist, educator and parenting expert Michael M. Osit, EdD, the author of Generation Text:  Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything (Amacom, 2008), will address the concerns of parents the world over regarding the potential negative effects of various forms of digital communication and provide insights on how parents can help their children learn to make intelligent choices.  Dr. Osit has worked with young people for more than 30 years and has assisted families who have been challenged by the new order of access and excess – and the temptations and other dangers that go with it.  He is a frequent presenter on a wide variety of topics for professionals, parents and schools and has been interviewed by prominent national and local print and broadcast media.  He currently writes the “Mind to Mind” column in WarrenConnection and is in private practice in Warren, NJ.

Wednesday, May 11:  7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Multi-Purpose Room, Main Level, Somerset Hills YMCA (Suggested donation:  $5.00 per person; Dr. Osit will be selling and signing books after his talk)

BRYAN V. GIBB:

 “Mental Health First Aid for the Somerset Hills”

You may know CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.  But would you know how to help if faced with a friend, loved one or stranger’s mental health crisis?  Bryan Gibb, a nationally known-speaker and trainer will introduce an innovative community education program – Mental Health First Aid – which trains individuals to understand, recognize and provide help to those experiencing the symptoms of mental distress until appropriate professional or other help can be engaged.  This ground-breaking program is currently taught in 15 countries, and in the United States alone, more than 20,000 people in 44 states have taken the course in the past three years.  It is now being brought to our community through the Somerset Hills YMCA and its Healthy Outcomes Partnership initiative.  

Mr. Gibb will describe the human costs associated with mental illness, its prevalence in our society and the documented success of Mental Health First Aid in reducing the stigma that frequently prevents people from seeking help.  As Director of Public Education for the National Council on Community Behavioral Healthcare, Mr. Gibb travels across the country to run 5-day instructor certification courses required for those who will teach Mental Health First Aid.  He worked closely with the city of Tucson in the aftermath of the tragic shootings in January, and is a frequent guest on Washington, DC-area television and radio talk shows.

Wednesday, May 11:  2:00 – 3:30pm, Multi-Purpose Room, Main Level, Somerset Hills YMCA

LESLIE BECKER-PHELPS, PHD:

 “Compassionate Self-Awareness:  An Approach to Making Real Change”

There are many self-help books that tell people what they need to do to change -- to lose weight, find love, get rich, be happy, stop smoking --  just to name a few.  And sometimes, that advice happens to fit with how people think and function, and it works.  But, according to Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps, a clinical psychologist and regular columnist and blogger on WebMD.com  and Psychology Today.com, all too often, people blindly follow the advice without feeling that it truly applies to them -- and inevitably, their efforts fail.   Dr. Becker-Phelps will explain how we can be controlled by unconscious processes that act as “invisible puppeteers”, as well as how we can cut those strings using “compassionate self-awareness” -- a balance of self-compassion and self-awareness – to make lasting change.

In addition to her role as relationships expert on WebMD’s Relationships and Coping Community, blogger, lecturer and psychologist in private practice in Basking Ridge, Dr. Becker-Phelps is on the medical staff at Somerset Medical Center, where she previously served as chief of psychology and director of Women’s Psychological Services.

Monday, May 9:  1:00 – 2:00 pm, Multi-Purpose Room, Main Level, Somerset Hills YMCA

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

Follow us on Facebook for more Y-News : http://www.facebook.com/SomersetHillsYMCA

Swim For Richard Raises Funds and Awareness of Bipolar Disorder

Three Y’s Guys with One Common Cause

On April 23^rd, 2011, for the second consecutive year, the Three Y’s Guys of the Somerset Hills YMCA will embark on a challenging 24 mile marathon swim in the waters of Tampa Bay, FL to raise funds and awareness about bipolar disorder. Martino Caretto of Basking Ridge, Paul Kiell of Far Hills and Doug Munch of Morristown, their ages averaging 68 years, will swim the 24-mile distance as a relay. Funds raised will benefit Saturdays in Motion. Held at the Somerset Hills YMCA for the past nineteen years, it is a recreational program benefiting children with autism and their families.

Caretto’s son tragically lost his life in April 2009 after waging a valiant and painful battle with bipolar disorder. A 2005 graduate of Lawrenceville, and a Bloustein scholar that recognizes academic excellence, Richard Caretto was a volunteer at Saturdays in Motion and will always be remembered for his generosity, sharp sense of humor and his sensitivity to social problems. “Richard also tutored special needs children and volunteered over 200 hours of community service assisting patients with dementia,” said Richard’s father, Martino.

The Three Y’s Guys are hopeful that Swim For Richard will generate interest and dialogue about bipolar disorder. “Richard had his whole life ahead of him,” said Caretto. “If our efforts bring relief to another individual or spare other families the devastating pain that has been inflicted on mine, then the Three Y’s Guys will feel a great sense of achievement. No matter how much we raise, the friendship and support of those around us has been of great comfort to me and my family. A lack of understanding about this disorder often leads to it being swept under the carpet. The stigma generally attached to mental disorders needs to be dispelled so that progress in research can be made and more support can be offered to individuals and families in need,” added Caretto.

Contributions of $50 or more will receive an autographed copy of Dr. Paul Kiell’s new book Exercise and the Mind and all contributors will receive an honorary blue ribbon. Please make (tax deductible) checks payable to the Somerset Hills YMCA. Mail to Somerset Hills YMCA, Development Department – Swim For Richard, 140 Mount Airy Rd, Basking Ridge NJ 07920.  

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or contact Kelly Castro at 908.766.7898 or kcastro@somersethillsymca.org.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SomersetHillsYMCA

Somerset Hills YMCA Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer

Wasiak Brings More Than 20 Years of Y Professional Experience

With a career that began at a Y in 1988 as a summer day camp director, Fred Wasiak has now joined staff at the Somerset Hills YMCA as Chief Operating Officer.  Wasiak brings with him over 20 years of YMCA professional experience and a strong track record in budgeting and fiscal management, financial and community development, program development, facility improvement and expansion, and staff/volunteer development. 

After serving as the summer Day Camp/Physical Director for the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester YMCA in White Plains, NY from 1988 through 1993, Wasiak then served as the Family Conference Director for Frost Valley YMCA from 1993 through 1999.  Additionally, Wasiak gained valuable operations experience as the Associate Executive Director of the Westfield Area YMCA until 2004, and then served as CEO of YMCA Camp Ockanickon in Medford, NJ.   Most recently, at Goodwill Industries, Wasiak was responsible for community resource development where he restructured the financial development program and developed community partnerships to further the Goodwill mission.

Wasiak has a B.S. in Physical Education from Niagara University and recently completed his M.S. in Human Services from Springfield College.  He is also a graduate of the YMCA Executive Development Program and the New CEO Institute, and is an experienced trainer.

Wasiak currently serves as Secretary of the Maple Shade Rotary Club and Treasurer of the NJ Southern Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He and his wife, Betsy, live in Tabernacle NJ and have three children; Meghan, a graduate student at Springfield College; Jake, a junior at Fairleigh Dickinson University; and Lindsey, a 7^th grader.

“The Somerset Hills YMCA is one of the most highly regarded YMCAs in the state of New Jersey.  It is an honor to be part of a wonderful staff and dedicated volunteers that have done so much good for the surrounding communities. I am looking forward to serving the Somerset Hills area in supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” said Wasiak.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

Follow us on Facebook for more Y news: www.facebook.com/SomersetHillsYMCA

Y to Host Open House to Kick Off New Year

The Somerset Hills YMCA is hosting an open house for potential members from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Riverwalk location at 665 Martinsville Road and at 140 Mount Airy Road. The open house is open to everybody in the community.

A variety of free classes will be offered at both locations. At Riverwalk, free classes will be offered for Zumba, Yogalates, Pilates, Kids Yoga, Senior Yoga and Full Body Kinesis. At the Mount Airy Road location, dance classes for kids, kinesis classes and group exercise classes will be offered. There will also be a strength training circuit set up. The pools and water slides will be open as well as the Rock Climbing Wall. Guests are encouraged to check the website at www.somersethillsymca.org for a full schedule.

Raffles will also be held every hour for many prizes, including 10 personal training sessions worth $600. Guests are encouraged to check in at the Welcome Center on arrival in order to be entered into the raffles.

“This is a great opportunity for people in the community to come and find out what the Y is all about,” said Sue Diebold, Director of Wellness at the Y. “Yes, we do have a fantastic facility here, but we really run much deeper than that. We offer all kinds of support programs for youth, teens, families and active older adults that help you grow in spirit, mind and body.”

For more information, please contact Jackie Surette at jsurette@somersethillsymca.org or call (908) 766-7898 ext. 1362. For a full Open House schedule, visit www.somersethillsymca.org.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body.  The Y is guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

Sweet, sweet dreams!

Keeping Babies Safe (KBS) has just donated 12 brand new cribs to the Millicent Fenwick Day Care Center at the Y! These cribs meet the new current standards mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and are being donated in the wake of the October 3^rd Somerset Hills YMCA and Keeping Babies Safe joint 5K that raised approximately $48,000. 

Joyce Davis, President KBS, lost her own son, Garret, when he was four months old due to an unsafe sleeping condition; her mission is to educate as many parents as possible about safe sleeping conditions and to donate safe cribs to those in need.  KBS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education, assistance and leadership in keeping babies safe from preventable injuries associated with unsafe cribs and sleep environments.

Said Joyce, “This is a great first step with the Somerset Hills YMCA and plans are now underfoot to reach out to Ys nationwide. The Y leads the nation in providing quality daycare and we want to assist them with ensuring all cribs in their daycare centers conform to the latest safety standards.”

KBS is a reliable, free information resource for parents that provides all the necessary crib and sleep safety information, product recall information and safety tips so parents can stay informed and be vigilant about keeping their children safe.  Additionally, KBS educates health care personnel and donates safe cribs through an expanding network of hospitals, clinics and other health and human service organizations that distribute the donated safe cribs nationwide through their internal vetting programs.

Watchung native starts Flag Football League at Army base in Basrah, Iraq, to raise morale and enjoy a taste of home.

On an isolated Command Operating Base (COB), on the outskirts of Basrah, Iraq, American soldiers are now enjoying a little piece of home and friendly competition during their down time, thanks to the efforts of a few of their own and the support of the Somerset Hills YMCA, Flagmag.com and teams from the National Football League (NFL).

In Iraq since March 2010, First Lieutenant Aaron Raymar was looking for something to improve the morale of the soldiers serving on his base and to give everyone something to which to look forward. Raymar came up with the idea of creating a Flag Football League. With football season in full swing in the United States, the soldiers have football on their minds, rooting for their home teams and keeping dibs on their favorite players when they return to base each night. Now, they are benefitting both physically and mentally from participating in a recreational athletic competition themselves.

On November 11, 2010, the first game of the COB Basrah Flag Football League was played, following the formation of sixteen teams and the arrangement of a league schedule that will take the players through early 2011. Thanks to the generosity of individual contributors, Flagmag.com, and teams from the NFL, equipment for each of the teams was secured and sent to the COB in Basrah.  This exciting initiative will exist for a long time to come with the USO already poised to take what Raymar has created and transport it to the next base, when the Basrah base closes, in order to support other soldiers in their deployment. 

"I cannot even begin to thank the Somerset Hills YMCA and the NFL teams participating in this endeavor for all the support you are giving to me and the soldiers with whom I serve”, said Raymar. “We spend hours upon hours at our duties, trying to revive this country and make it a better place not only now but for the future. Now, with your help and in a few weeks of dedicated effort, you have allowed us to create something that will bring people together, and make life better for all the soldiers stationed on this base."

Raymar, a native of Watchung, NJ, is a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is stationed out of Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado. A past member of the Somerset Hills YMCA and the Y’s National Swim Team, he was Army ROTC at Lehigh University, where he graduated with a double BS degree from the Business School in Marketing and Finance. Upon graduating from Lehigh in spring 2008, he received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant and rose to the ranks of First Lieutenant 18 months later. 

"Creating this flag football league means more than just allowing people to come together to play sports and enjoy themselves for part of the day.  It means that people will have something to look forward to everyday for the rest of their deployment; it means for that brief period of time they can take their minds off what happens in downtown Basrah and be reminded that people care about them and are waiting for them to come home safely,” said Raymar. “The very values and morals that are taught by the YMCA are almost identical to the Army values that I live by today. People often quote Vince Lombardi in saying, “leaders are not born, they are made,” and I can tell you that the YMCA molded me into the leader I am right now and will continue to be in the future."

The Somerset Hills YMCA is accepting contributions in support of the COB Basrah Flag Football League. All monetary donations are needed and appreciated to ensure that this exciting endeavor can grow and thrive. To make a contribution, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org, click on the GIVE button and note FFL donation in the ‘Comments’ field. Contributions may also be mailed to Alison Buxton, V. P. of Development, Somerset Hills YMCA,

140 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

.  Please note FFL donation in the note portion of the check. For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org to read the full story. 

Medevac Hospital Lands in on the Somerset Hills YMCA

As the grand finale to “Transportation Week” at the Millicent Fenwick Day Care Center at the Somerset Hills YMCA, Atlantic Health’s MEDEVAC helicopter ‘Air One’ landed in the backyard of the Y, much to the delight and awe of onlookers, young and old. Children were able to approach the helicopter after landing and to each ask a question. Questions ranged from how fast they could fly to whether the pilot slept in the helicopter at night! The Basking Ridge Fire Company provided safety coverage at the event.

From left: Paul Sepanski, Jr, Flight R.N.; Sally Roser, Associate Director of Child Care at the Millicent Day Care Center, Somerset Hills YMCA; Dr. Dan Mooney, Morristown Memorial Hospital and Sean Lynch, Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic. Not pictured, Bob Jones, MEDEVAC helicopter Pilot.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Somerset Hills YMCA holds first Strong Dogs Day

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

On Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Y is holding ‘Strong Dogs Day’ in its own backyard. All two- and four-legged friends are welcome. The day will kick off with a blessing of the hounds, followed by a dog walkathon around a local neighborhood with stations such as Treat Street, Water Works and Scooper Way set up to support the participants in this all-sidewalk, one mile walk. There will be games, contests and giveaways as well as lectures, obedience training, speakers and much more. Many local vendors, kennels, and groomers will also attend. All proceeds will benefit Strong Kids, the Y’s Financial Assistance Campaign.

Cherrybrook Premium Pet Supplies has signed on as presenting ‘Top Dog’ sponsor of Strong Dogs Day. Cherrybrook has two retail stores in Bedminster and Broadway NJ. TD Bank has signed on as the Puppy Love Sponsor; TD Bank has 1,100 locations nationwide. Other sponsors include Camp BowWow, who signed up as the Wagging Tail sponsor; Autosport Honda as the Cold Wet Nose sponsor, and PNC Bank, The Stable Ltd. and Tarheel Total Pet Care as Belly Scratch sponsors. Other opportunities are still available at most levels.

“The concept behind the event is to encourage the community to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle,” said Peter Barry, Director of Competitive Swimming at the Y and Strong Dogs coordinator. “Recently, there have been a number of reports that conclude that owning and walking a dog can lead to a healthier lifestyle. It’s along the lines of ‘Show me a healthy dog and I’ll show you a healthy family.’ When you consider the fact that more than 1,800 residents of Bernards Township alone have licensed dogs, we are expecting a terrific turnout that will benefit pet owners and our Strong Kids Financial Assistance Campaign. There will be plenty of promotions, dog ownership tips and giveaways for all attendees.”

For more information about Strong Dogs Day and opportunities to sponsor or be a vendor at the event, and to download the walkathon form, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or contact Peter at pbarry@somersethillsymca.org or (908) 630-3531.

The Somerset Hills YMCA is a charitable community service organization, rooted in Christian values and dedicated to helping all people grow in spirit, mind and body. We are guided by our core principles of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call (908) 766-7898.