The Robert K. Fox Family YMCA in Fairfield County was one of the first stories in our Small Business Spotlight series. Many exciting things have happened here since that first spotlight in 2015.
The latest and most exciting piece of news is that theorganization heads into this new decade debt-free! That’s right – the loan taken out for their nearly twenty year improvement project was paid off at the beginning of this year thanks in large part to the generosity of an anonymous donor who has been contributing to the cause for nearly a decade. This project officially got under way in 2000, allowing for the expansion and renovation of the main campus. Paying it off has allowed the program – and its personnel – to breathe a little easier.
CFO Kerry Sheets recalled how it came about. “I remember it was Christmas time in 2013, which is already a stressful time. And an individual approached our office and said they wanted to help.” The donor laid out a plan and committed monies on the spot – seven payments over seven years to be exact.
“I cried. Oh, I cried” Kerry recalled. Without this donor, the YMCA in 2008 would have faced some hard decisions. Operating funds were being set aside in order to ensure payment of the huge loan they had undertaken, and expenses were being evaluated. After the donor’s offer, the situation essentially changed overnight. “And sure enough, I woke up, came in one morning, and there is a donation check waiting for us.” This continued six additional times, and was a key factor in the Y’s ability to celebrate their “Debt-Free 2020.”
In addition to paying off the loan, they also recently opened the River Valley Campus (RVC) branch, a brand new second location created in partnership with Fairfield Medical Center. Officially opening in September 2019, the RVC was a years-long project that evolved far beyond the initial concept.
“We were approached initially by Fairfield Medical Center who were in the planning stages and they had some ideas about child care” said Robert K. Family Fox YMCA’s CEO, Howard Long. The YMCA was intrigued by the potential partnership, so as the ideas began to flow and the model for what the medical center could be began to evolve, so too did the Y’s involvement in the project.
“We all have the same goals. We just want the community to be healthy” explained Howard. It made the partnership a no brainer, and what came out of it was a brand new, fully functional YMCA facility, operated and maintained by YMCA employees.
From day one the public response to the spacious facility and the latest and greatest in exercise science equipment has been nothing but positive. “It’s been an amazing partnership” Howard beamed, before referring to the value the new facility adds for Fairfield Medical Center, the YMCA, and their members. “Our brand has a value and that was recognized. Our logo is prominently displayed. It’s fully functional – a brand new second branch. It’s instant value for our members!”
The RVC has quickly become a model for YMCA programs across the state to follow. “I’m taking calls and meetings all the time” said Howard. “They want to know how we did it, and this is really a model of how to do it right.”
But Y members will be happy to know that the newest locationisn’t the only facility getting all of the attention. The main branch’s Wellness Center has seen updated carpeting, equipment, and HVAC systems, and the RecPlex continues to see growth. The gymnastics program, in particular, has seen explosive growth and now requires the use of the facility’s second floor. Additionally, their childcare program has grown significantly and has expanded into the former Sanderson Elementary School building.
This physical growth and expansion is in addition to program success – old and new – at the Y. For example, Darkness to Light, a newer offering featuring the Stewards to Children program that Howard has been involved with since before his arrival to Fairfield County in 2018, helps adults learn how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. To date, 253 adults have been trained through this program in Fairfield County. Our strong partnership with the Harcum House and United Way have made this program possible.
To say that the staff here is pleased with this growth would be an understatement.
However, all of the success and growth of the Robert K. Family Fox YMCA program would not be possible without the numerous donors and partners that contribute a tremendousamount of support.
Someone else who played a huge role in the YMCA we know today was the organization’s namesake – Dr. Robert and Dorothy Fox. “Without the Fox family and their foundation, the (main campus) addition wouldn’t exist. We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without the generosity of them and their continued financial support,” Kerry said.
Donations from the community go directly into the Y’s Annual Giving Campaign (AGC), which topped $210,000 in 2019. As part of that $210k, over $10,000 came from the generosity of the selfless YMCA staff members themselves. Fittingly, the success of the AGC meant that the YMCA turned no one away in 2019 for their inability to pay.
If you’re interested in joining the Robert K. Family Fox YMCA, consider their Better Together program – a referral program that can earn you a savings of 20 percent. For more information, contact Annie Weaver at 740.654.0616 x234 or at aweaver@ymcalancaster.org.
For full information on the Robert K. Fox Family YMCA and their programs, visit them online and follow all their latest happenings on Facebook.
When Polly McCormick was a little girl and people asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said Nels Olsen on Little House on the Prairie. “I always wanted to be Nels, to have that store counter. So I would play general store and my parents would be my customers,” she laughed.
Stuart Burial Vaults was actually one of the first four concrete vault businesses in the country. In addition to creating and running the business, John Stuart was also a founding member of the National Burial Vault Association, which helped establish industry wide guidelines and standards.
Good served hot or cold, this locally made dip can be used on or with almost anything. In fact, he names a long list of items his customers use it on as a condiment including hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, baked potatoes and sloppy joes to name a few. It’s also commonly used on pizza, as a dip for chips, chicken nuggets and vegetables. “People get pretty creative with it sometimes,” he said.
When requests to purchase the dip started to come in, he knew he had something special. So he began the year and half long journey to start his business and to learn the legalities of producing, selling and distributing food.
She also explained that they offer two grades of wood – “Select grade” which typically is without flaws and has consistent color as well as “Character grade” which may have knots, variation in color and other small flaws. “It just depends on your taste and what you’re looking for,” she said, explaining that most customers choose the better grade while some still prefer the character that comes with flaws.
Today, the 88-year-old still works most days at the museum he co-founded along with friend Bob Hines and a host of volunteers. Established in 1975, the museum is run by the Ashville Area Heritage Society and a group of volunteers who pitch in to help wherever needed – cleaning, giving tours, curating artifacts and simply keeping the museum ready for visitors.
He can tell you about the technology used to test a driverless car on Ashville’s streets in 1969 and about the tinkerer who invented the world’s first traffic light. Charlie’s enthusiasm for the history of his community is contagious as he muses about the stories preserved as well as the ones that have been lost to time.
There literally is a treasure or charming story in every nook and cranny of the museum and new items are added all the time. One local resident dropped off a vintage camera while we were visiting and someone else had donated a box of pictures from an attic a few days earlier. “When we were getting this started, I think we were in every home and every attic in Ashville looking for things,” Charlie exclaimed with a laugh. “Attics are the best because people put stuff up there and forget about it. Unlike a basement which is always damp, the attic stays dry and the items are preserved.”
Raccoon Creek Outfitters does it all. They offer kayak and canoe rentals, a store and campground. They even offer their grounds for event rental.
With 34 acres situated along the peaceful shores of Raccoon Creek in eastern Vinton County, it’s an ideal place to camp. Primitive campsites are available along the creek banks while RV sites with electric hookup are available as well.
Dustin Hoy worked for and managed another canoe livery for several years, learning the ropes in hopes of someday pursuing his dream to own his own livery. “Dustin is the backbone. He’s knowledgeable in every aspect of the boats and, if he doesn’t know it, he’ll learn. It’s his passion, his dream, and I’m lucky enough to be living it with him,” she said with a smile.
He arranged with his employer to use their workspace in his down time to create a trailer full of pumpkins he could haul home to the Pumpkin Show. “It was a gamble but I sold every last piece and knew I had something,” he said. He returned home to Colorado and began preparing for next year’s festival, beginning a tradition that has continued ever since.
VCNB Family 