Coronavirus

March 23, 2020

 

Dear YMCA of South Hampton Roads Community,

Thank you for being a valued member of our Y family. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create global shifts and uncertainty, we wanted to communicate with you about our future together.

With the closure of our YMCAs extended through June 10 following the mandates and recommendations of officials, we too feel the worry that such uncertainty has brought. However, one thing remains—when we stand with our neighbors through moments that seem dark, we come out even stronger for it. As a Y movement strongly rooted in charitable non-profit work for over 170 years, we have maintained and adapted to serve the most pressing needs of our communities and the people who call those communities home. In times of crisis, we hold fast to this commitment.

As we continue to serve our community's needs in new and different ways, we are asking you to stay with us and keep your membership active if it's within your means. Your membership allows us to fulfill our mission and to continue serving the communities we love.

  • We’ve partnered with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to ensure that no one goes hungry due to food insecurity.
  • Starting on Thursday, we will be providing child care services for emergency, medical, and essential personnel so that they can continue serving during this time when their talents and skills are so desperately needed.
  • And, because we know our community needs to stay active, we are providing options to maintain a healthy lifestyle from home through the Virtual YMCA.

Looking to the future, your membership today will help us be the Y you remember when we are able to open our doors again. We are grateful for the overwhelming support of members who are continuing their membership during this closure.

We have set up several membership options to best serve you during this time.

  • #StayWithUs and continue membership through the closure.
  • Convert your membership draft to a tax-deductible charitable donation. When we are able to reopen, your charitable donation will convert back to your regular membership dues.
  • We also understand that some may not be able to maintain membership during this time. You can place your membership on hold or discuss other options, and we're waiving the 30-day notice requirement because we understand that these are unusual circumstances.

Because membership dues are scheduled to draft for some members as early as March 28, please let us know as soon as possible which option you are choosing by visiting ymcashr.org/stay-with-us. Our staff is working as quickly as possible to respond to every request. Please know that your Y is so eager to serve you and we look forward to the day we can all be together again at the Y.

Thank you again for being a part of our YMCA. We are honored to work alongside you in building a stronger, healthier community for all. Please take care of yourself and one another. Our community is strong and, together, we will get through this.

In health,

Anthony Walters
President and CEO
YMCA of South Hampton Roads