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2008 Campaign Goal is $500,000

My name is Tom Miers, campaign chair, along with co-chairs Mary P. Morrissey and Denice Gierach, for the 2008 Strong Kids Campaign.

I grew up in up-state New York where I participated in the YMCA Leaders Club as a Y Leader. In 1970, I was a George Williams College student intern for the Naperville YMCA and then became a program director. I can remember vividly the day the new Kroehler Family YMCA pool was being filled with water as it just happened to be the same day I was married to my wife Pati of 34 years to date. My connection to the YMCA was beginning to have more meaning as the years passed. Down the road, I ended up making a career move and spent many years in the banking industry, however, my passion and commitment to the YMCA and its mission remained strong. I continued volunteering for the Y, my children participated in many YMCA programs as they were growing up, and we attended many family YMCA events such as Family Friday Nights and New Years Eve parties. The Y has had an enormous impact on our children and has helped shape them into fine young adults today. I thank the YMCA for this.

As we move into 2008, I will have made another career change that will position me to be able to give back more to the YMCA. I believe everyone should be able to participate in the YMCA and I am honored to be the chair of the campaign along with co-chairs Mary and Denice.

In closing, the YMCA is about instilling values in children, lifting their self-esteem and changing lives. The Y is a place where kids can be “dropped off ” and “lifted up.” Help us continue to build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. The need is great and I know together we can make a difference.