The Kosciusko Community YMCA recently received national recognition for its service to military personnel and their families.
In response to the large mobilization of area troops in January, the YMCA began offering complimentary memberships and programs to military personnel and their families and is currently serving 25 families.Because of these services, the Kosciusko Community YMCA was awarded the 2008 Raytheon Program Achievement Award from the Armed Services YMCA of the United States. This recognition includes a $1,000 award.
The award plaque states, "Raytheon is pleased to join the Armed Services YMCA in recognizing your outstanding programs benefiting young enlisted men and women and military families. We salute you and wish you much continued success in your most worthy efforts."
Before the local National Guard deployment to Iraq, Kosciusko Community YMCA CEO Steve Jungbauer spoke to departing soldiers and their families at the local reserve center to inform and encourage families to utilize the Y's services in their time of need.
"The Kosciusko Community YMCA respects and admires community members who serve in the United States Armed Forces and the YMCA understands that access to training facilities provides special support for these individuals," Jungbauer said. "The YMCA is also committed to providing health and wellness support to families of service personnel during times when their spouse is deployed. During this time of unrest, any immediate family member of an individual who has been deployed to a combat area will receive complimentary membership and programs while the loved one serves our country."
Before and after school care, drop-off babysitting and youth swimming, gymnastics and sports are included in this offer in order to provide families that have an absent spouse with some extra help.
The YMCA also initiated a separate fund drive asking community businesses and individuals for support. The Kosciusko Community YMCA is also a member of a networking group of non-profit organizations, Kosciusko County Connections, which will assist the YMCA in identifying families of deployed individuals that need assistance.
Soldiers and their families who are awaiting active duty, have received deployment orders or are on military leave may sign up for free membership at the YMCA Welcome Center. Applicants are asked to bring a copy of their deployment orders when they sign up.
