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Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions

January 22, 2011 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

An estimated 45-50 percent of Americans made resolutions earlier in the month, because we all saw an opportunity for a fresh start. We hoped to become healthier and “better” people in the New Year. More than 37 percent of us will have given up by March 1 and more than half by the end of June.

According to a recent survey the Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for 2011 are:

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

2. Fit in Fitness

3. Tame the Bulge

4. Quit Smoking

5. Enjoy Life More

6. Quit Drinking

7. Get Out of Debt

8. Learn Something New

9. Help Others

10. Get Organized

The Y can help you achieve the majority of the top 10 resolutions. Now more than ever, with the added stress to family life, as a result of the economic downturn, it’s important to make sure exercise is part of our daily routines. Research has proven again and again the important role of exercise in combating stress and reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety which can cause smoking and drinking. Even moderate physical activity can produce mood-boosting endorphins, clear the mind, improve focus and positively affect blood pressure and other symptoms of stress which will allow you to enjoy life more.

The YMCA knows a lot about staying healthy in “spirit, mind and body” and offers these suggestions to make physical activity a priority and help you achieve your healthy living resolutions in 2011:

Keep it manageable. To stay on track, focus on only three resolutions.
Make an “exercise transition” between work and family time. Take a short walk after work or before kids get home from school to clear away the stress of the day and get a positive boost.
Find an enjoyable physical activity that requires some mental focus to steer the mind away from worries – a pick up game of basketball, swimming laps in the pool, an indoor cycling class or joining your kids in the climbing center.
Don’t be too ambitious, but stick to it. With exercising—or other resolutions—start with an easily achievable goal and work up to a regular routine. As you become more physically conditioned, you’ll be able to gently increase your intensity level by picking up the pace or adding new goals to your routine.
Vary your resolutions, not focusing solely on the body. Maintain your emotional health as well by volunteering an hour per week, reading a book a month, writing a friend or family member.
Line up a support network. Accomplishing your goal can be easier with the support of family, friends and coworkers. And tell them how they can help!
Visit your local YMCA for a variety of affordable membership options and activities for everyone in the family.

“And remember,” says Roxanne Davis, YMCA North Group Marketing Director, “Now more than ever, it’s important to make sure exercise is part of our daily routine and focus on your health & well-being. The key to success is confidence. Goals are accomplished through a series of small steps and the hardest step to take is the first one. Perseverance and commitment to change are the key elements to turning resolutions into reality. At the YMCA, we’re here to help you keep your New Year’s Resolutions all year long.”

The help available at the YMCA includes Y Personal Fitness, an 8 week program designed specifically to meet your own personal needs and goals. If you are new to exercise or if you have a difficult time sticking with an exercise program, Y Personal Fitness is specially designed for you. As a participant you will receive:

- Four appointments with a YMCA Personal Fitness Coach

- Develop and maintain a more active lifestyle that meets your own personal needs and goals

- Receive individual instruction on the use of the cardiovascular equipment and strength training equipment.

- Learn how to become successful by starting off at the right level and becoming committed through the routine of a structured but manageable program.

Also available is FitLinxx, an interactive fitness program that takes the guess work out of exercise. Why get linked to FitLinxx?

- Tracks range of motion to ensure each repetition is effective

- Tracks your progress making for a successful workout program

- Records the # of repetitions completed

- Records how much weight you are lifting

In addition, the YMCA offers personal fitness consultation, weight management programs for adults and kids, small group fitness classes, large group fitness classes, water exercise, nutritional counseling, small group training classes, nutrition seminars, and much more for all ages, all levels of fitness and for all interests.

YMCA’s have been helping families and individuals grow in spirit, mind and body for more than 160 years, both in good times and challenging times. The YMCA is committed to being available to all, regardless of financial resources, striving to turn no one away for inability to pay. For more information on YMCA Membership and current promotion, Healthy Living programs, Youth Development Programs and Financial Assistance, please call 281-367-9622 or stop by the South Montgomery County YMCAs, located at 6145 Shadowbend Place, 8100 Ashlane Way and 6464 Creekside Forest in The Woodlands. For families living in the Conroe area, please call 936-441-9622 or visit your local Conroe YMCA located at 10245 Owen Drive.

Refresh, Renew, Rediscover. Join the Y in 2011. The Y is a non-profit like no other. Be a member of something special.

Filed Under: YMCA Tagged With: FitLinxx, Health, New Year's resolution, New Year's resolutions, Physical exercise, YMCA

Holiday Activities Continue at the YMCA

December 21, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

Amongst all the holiday excitement, shopping, decorating, cooking, baking and other activities associated with the holiday season, the YMCA has many holiday events and activities planned to assist you in your holiday plans, gift giving, keep the kids busy and active and keep your family healthy during the busy and tempting holiday season. The South Montgomery County YMCA will be open on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, 5am – 4pm. The YMCAs are closed on Christmas Day.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Struggling with last minute gift ideas? Give the gift that keeps on giving all year long . . . The gift of Health and Wellness. What a better way to show you care than a gift of good health, so easy to share. YMCA gift certificates are available for membership, personal training, pilates group reformer classes, programs and more. There is a Holiday Special on Personal Training: Buy 5 sessions, get one Free. Buy 10 sessions and get two Free. Offer ends soon. Our certified Personal Trainers and Registered Dietitian will design a workout and nutrition plan specific to your needs and goals.

Holiday Performing Arts Workshops: Students, K-12^th grade are invited to join us for informative, interactive and creative workshops in the field of performing arts. The workshops will focus on 3 key areas related to performance: Auditions, Basic Dance for Musical Theatre and Broadway, and Triple Threat – Sing, Dance and Act. Each of the workshops will be offered numerous times throughout the holidays at different times on different days, Dec. 4^th – Jan. 15^th. Most workshops are 90 minutes in length. For more information please call 281-367-9622. Pre-Registration is required.

Holiday Private Swim Lessons: The water is always warm at the Shadowbend YMCA Pool. Private swim lessons, offered in 40 minute blocks, will be available in December for children and adults of all ages and all levels including beginners. You can purchase as few as 1 lesson or as many as you would like. A great opportunity to brush up on skills, learn new skills and stay active during the holidays. For more information please call 281-367-9622. Pre-registration is required.

Holiday Pilates Reformer Classes: Continue your workout during the holidays with an opportunity to sample a Pilates Reformer Class. What a great way to de-stress and relax and strengthen your core during the busy holiday season. Normally offered in 4 week sessions, registration is available for single classes, December 20 – December 30. Limited space available.

Holiday Adventure Camp: Holiday vacation begins December 20th for the school age children. Holiday break camp is available at the Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center for children ages 5 – 12 years. Each day is a special theme providing campers an opportunity to experience the fun of summer day camp. Themes include Weird Science, Creature Feature, Around the World, Props Performing Arts, Studio Arts Camp, Dinosaur Day, Treasure Hunters and Time Warp. Outdoor activities will include hiking, archery, canoeing, treasure hunts, games, and more. Children experience a full day of camp fun! Holiday camp hours are 7:00am – 6:30pm and is available Dec. 20 – 23 and Dec. 27 – 30. All campers must be pre-register. For parents convenience, a drop off and pick up location is available at the Shadowbend YMCA. Campers will then be bused over to Creekside YMCA. Limited Space available on bus. For more information please call 832-698-1283. Registration is available at www.registerymca.org.

Holiday Climbing Wall Clinics: Young climbers will learn how to choose the appropriate harness and helmet, climbing techniques and play games. The older age group will learn how to choose appropriate equipment, tie knots, improve climbing skills, learn new skills and play games. Parents must accompany climbers, ages 5 – 9. The holiday climbing clinic is offered at the Branch Crossing YMCA. For more information call 281-367-9622.

Dec. 21: Ages 5 and older, the clinic is offered 1:30 – 2:30pm for beginners.

Dec. 21: Ages 10 and older, the clinic is offered 3:00 – 4:00pm

Dec. 28: Ages 5 and older, the clinic is offered 1:30 – 2:30pm for beginners.

Holiday Burn Out Mega Workout Christmas Eve: Burn off those extra calories at our Holiday Burn Out Mega Workout on Christmas Eve, 9:00am – 11:00am at the Shadowbend YMCAGym. Featuring 5 instructors, the 2 hour mega workout will include BodyCOMBAT™, Boot Camp, Zumba® and Pilates.

New Years Day Resolution Workout: Join us for the annual New Year’s Day Resolution Workout at the Branch Crossing YMCA, 9:00 – 10:30am. Two different workouts will be available including a sneak preview of the new Les Mills choreography featuring BodyCOMBAT™, BodyPUMP™ and BodyFLOW™. For the cyclists there will be a 90 minute indoor cycling class. The Resolution Workout is free but donations to the YMCA Partners Program would be appreciated. For more information please call 281-367-9622. The Branch Crossing YMCA, located at 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands, will be open 8:00am – 1:00pm on New Years Day to get a jump start on your New Years Resolutions! The Shadowbend Bend and Creekside YMCAs will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Join the YMCA and Receive a Holiday Gift – a $50 Market Street Gift Card! Maintain – Don’t Gain – Get started Early on your New Year’s Resolution. For more information on our Holiday Membership promotion please call 281-367-YMCA. Gift card offer ends December 24, 2010.

Pre-registration is required for all Holiday Clinics and Camps. To register, please stop by the South Montgomery County YMCAs, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, 6145 Shadowbend Place or 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands or register online at www.registerymca.org.

At the YMCA – We’re All About You. Take that first step toward a healthy spirit, mind and body. The YMCA offers hope and help to families through programs that teach values, builds self esteem and reinforces our mission as well as the five core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, caring and faith. For more information call, 281-367-9622 or visit www.ymcahouston.org/south-montgomery-county/ for a holiday schedule. The Y: We’re for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Filed Under: YMCA Tagged With: Recreation, YMCA, YMCA. holidays

Santa is Coming to the YMCA

November 26, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

Santa Claus is coming to the YMCA! The South Montgomery County YMCA invites everyone to join them at their annual Holiday Open House and Pictures with Santa, Saturday, December 4, 10:30am – 1:30pm at the Shadowbend YMCA.

Fun for the entire family, activities include Pictures with Santa, holiday arts/crafts and games, face art, indoor climbing center, holiday refreshments, open swim, moonwalk, letters to Santa and much more . . . Admission is Free and YMCA membership is not required so bring family and friends!

Parents are encouraged to bring their camera and capture the magical moment!

The Shadowbend YMCA is located at 6145 Shadowbend Place in The Woodlands. For more information please call 281-367-9622 or visit www.southcounty-ymca.org.

Filed Under: YMCA Tagged With: pictures, Santa Claus, YMCA

YMCA Offers Thanksgiving Break Holiday Adventure Camp

November 21, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving break for local students is longer this year! Kids have the entire week off. . . . Looking for fun and adventure for your kids? Then look no further than the YMCA. It is time for school’s out adventure camp at the new Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center.

The South Montgomery County YMCA will be offering a special Thanksgiving Holiday Adventure Camp on November 22-24 for ages 5 – 12. (Age as of 9-1-10) Care is provided 7:00am – 6:30pm at the new Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center. For your convenience, drop off and pick up is also available at the Shadowbend YMCA. Transportation is provided to and from with the bus departing at 8:30am and returning at 4:30pm. Pre-registration required for transportation option from Shadowbend Y. Limited space available.

Creekside YMCA, located at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive in The Woodlands, is a unique outdoor adventure center providing lots of back to nature outdoor activities for school age children during their holiday break. Holiday camp brings all the fun of summer day camp to our students throughout the rest of the year. Each day with have a theme including Outdoor Adventure Day, Y Sports and Fall Festival. Reconnecting kids with nature, camp activities will include, weather permitting, hiking the trails, building shelters in the woods, canoeing, archery, fishing, sports, games, Eco-Art and much more. Campers will need to bring a sack lunch, water bottle and wear appropriate shoes for outdoor adventures.

Pre-registration is required for Holiday Adventure Camp. To register, please visit any of the South Montgomery County YMCA locations in The Woodlands: 6145 Shadowbend Place, 8100 Ashlane Way and 6464 Creekside Forest Drive all in The Woodlands. Online registration is available at www.registerymca.org.

For more information on YMCA programs, membership and holiday gift certificates, please call 281-367-9622 or visit www.southcounty-ymca.org. The YMCA believes that its programs and services should be available to everyone. We strive to turn no one away due to the inability to pay.

Filed Under: Events, YMCA Tagged With: camp, holiday adventure, Thanksgiving, YMCA

Walk, Race, Run Thru the Woods

November 18, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

A holiday tradition in The Woodlands Town Center, the annual Thanksgiving Day Run Thru the Woods Sponsored by GE, is a race/walk designed for all ages and levels of fitness. This year marks the event’s 21st year as one of Texas’ premier running and walking family events. The 2010 event which should attract more than 5300 participants is both a family event and a serious running event, enticing for the competitive and recreational runner.

The 21st annual Run Thru the Woods is scheduled for November 25th, 20010 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands Town Center. Categories and start times include a competitive 1 mile children’s race starting at 7:45am, a certified 5 mile run at 8:15am, a 3 Mile Teen Race for ages 12 – 17 at 8:25am and the 3 mile family walk starting at 8:35am. The 5 mile event also features a Masters, Clydesdale and Athena division. To ensure fast and accurate finish results, the event uses “D” Timing Tag technology to track all the runners as they cross the finish line.

Awards include cash prizes to the overall top 3 finishers, Male and Female in the 5 mile run. Along with the cash, and unique trophy the overall top finisher, Male and Female will each win a special prize. New this year, special prizes will be presented along with the award to the Overall Winners of the Clydesdale, Athena and Masters’ categories. Awards will be awarded to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers, male and female, in each age group category including 5 mile, Clydesdale, Athena and Masters division and 3 mile Teen race. In the 1 Mile Children’s race, 1^st – 4^th place awards will be distributed to the top 4 finishers in each age group. Finisher Medals will be handed out at the finish line to all youth completing the 1 mile race. A complimentary pancake breakfast, provided by The Egg and I, will be available for all participants this year.

Proceeds benefit youth charities in Montgomery County including the South Montgomery County YMCA Partners Scholarship program. According to Roxanne Davis, YMCA Marketing Director, “Many children, youth and adults in our area need YMCA programs and services but are unable to pay the fees. Financial assistance provided through our Open Doors and Partners Campaign programs makes it possible for these individuals and families to gain the positive benefits of participating in the Y. Together we can ensure everyone can be a part of the YMCA regardless of financial resources. Let’s all come together on Thanksgiving and be thankful for our bounty and strengthen the foundations of our community. We invite all families out to the annual Run Thru the Woods and start a family tradition. Join the Fun and Run!”

Other local charities that benefit from the run include Operation Graduation, Conroe ISD AFJROTC Program, Montgomery County Humane Society and the Education Outreach Program at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. In 2009, the event attracted over 5100 participants and raised over $100,000 for the benefiting charities. Let’s all come together on Thanksgiving and be thankful for our bounty and strengthen the foundations of our community.

Early Registration deadline is Nov. 10. All registrations received after Nov. 10^th, will incur an additional $5 fee. Late registrations are not guaranteed a race t-shirt. On line registration as well as registration forms and additional information is available at www.runthruthewoods. Registration forms are also available at the South Montgomery County YMCAs, located at 6145 Shadowbend Place in The Woodlands; the Branch Crossing YMCA, 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands and the Creekside YMCA located at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive in The Woodlands.

For more information on Run Thru the Woods, please call 281-367-9622 or visit www.runthruthewoods.org.

Filed Under: Events, YMCA Tagged With: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Run Thru the Woods, The Woodlands Town Center, YMCA

YMCA Youth Basketball Coming to Oak Ridge Area

October 31, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

YMCA Youth Basketball is coming to the Oak Ridge area. The program is designed specifically to serve the families living in Oak Ridge, Imperial Oaks, Benders Landing and surrounding neighborhoods. For your convenience, all games and practices are held at Tom Cox Intermediate School.

Registration is now open for the Rayford Road YMCA Winter Basketball Program. Youth ages 5 – 13 are eligible to register. (Age eligibility as of September 1, 2010.) Early Registration Deadline is November 7th. Late Registrations received Nov. 8 – 13 incur a late registration fee. Practices begin the first week of December. Season dates are December 11 – February 5.

In all YMCA sports, every child is a winner. The Y is turning sports skills into life skills by offering youth sports programs that combine the YMCA philosophy of fair play, teamwork and inclusiveness to build healthy spirit, mind and bodies. Y Youth Sports help young people to become better players by emphasizing skill development not competition. At the YMCA, Everyone Plays and Everyone Wins. Each athlete is treated as an equal and plays in every game regardless of skill level.

The YMCA is a volunteer based organization. We strongly encourage parents to be more than spectators by getting involved as volunteer coaches, team parents and officials as well as being your child’s biggest fan. If you are interested in volunteering please call Rose Lawhon, Youth Sports Director, 281-367-9622. Coaches training is available prior to the start of the season.

The YMCA is a charitable not for profit community organization that provides programs and services that strengthens the community. The YMCA strives to no one away due to inability to pay. Financial assistance is available to individuals and families who substantiates a need, so that YMCA programs are accessible to every person in our community regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity or income level. Lives are impacted everyday thanks to the generosity of members and donors to the Partners Annual Giving Campaign.

To register please stop by either YMCA location in The Woodlands: 6145 Shadowbend Place, 8100 Ashlane Way or 6464 Creekside Forest Drive. On line registration is available at www.registerymca.org. For more information please call 281-367-9622.

Filed Under: YMCA Tagged With: Basketball, Tom Cox Intermediate, YMCA, youth

Halloween at the YMCA: Free Frightful Family Fun

October 28, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

It is time for Halloween at the YMCA. Sure Halloween means bags of treats . . . but it’s also a day for kids and families to use their imaginations in the costumes that they create and wear. Once again, YMCAs, collectively the nation’s largest community service organization, are decorating facilities coast to coast, preparing safe places and creative family activities for that time of year when pumpkins glow and kids masquerade. Ensuring a fun, safe and family oriented Halloween is part of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities for many YMCAs across the country. Tricks and treats take on a new meaning when people come together at the Y to enjoy all of the festivities of Halloween in a trusted location with a host of activities for families and friends to do together.

“And not just safe, exciting places for kids but cool destinations for teens and families where Halloween can be a creative and social experience for all,” said Roxanne Davis, YMCA Marketing Director. “Families want to know that their children are engaged in enjoyable and worthwhile activities in a safe and positive environment on Halloween and any other day of the week. They know that the YMCA is there to do just that – for kids and grown-ups alike!”

The annual “Halloween at the Y” has a New Location and New Theme this year moving the popular community event outdoors to the new Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center. The family event will be celebrated on Saturday, October 30th at the South Montgomery County Creekside YMCA in the Woodlands. Beginning at 5:00pm, families are invited to visit the new Y located at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive. Outdoor Adventure Activities will include Trick or Treating on the Trails; age Appropriate Haunted Tree Houses and Tipis; Traditional Carnival Games and Activities on the Trails such as ghost toss, fish pond, duck pond, bake walk, & tattoo art; Face Painting; Moon Walk; Photo Booth; Campfire and S’Mores, Haunting Karaoke, and much more frightful fun. Plus Enjoy a haunting turn on the Giant Swing at dusk. Fun for all ages, rain or shine. Everyone is encouraged to wear a friendly costume and parents don’t forget to bring your camera! Children may participate in as many activities as often as they want! Kids will receive a treat at each activity booth! Halloween at the YMCA is 5:00 – 7:00pm. Join us on the trails for an evening of frightful fun!

But wait there is more . . . families are encouraged to stay for a Halloween Movie Under the Stars featuring the full length movie “Casper” which was released in 1995. The movie will start at 7pm. YMCA membership is not required so bring your family and friends! Admission is FREE but we are asking families to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. Concessions will also be available to purchase.

For kids making their way to Halloween fun, the YMCA offers these safety reminders:

Wear light colored, flame retardant costumes
Wear shorter costumes to prevent tripping and with nighttime relectors
Use face make-up – no hoods or masks that obscure the face and vision
Take younger children door to door in daylight hours
Trick or Treat within your neighborhood, only to homes you know
Ensure young children escorted by adults or responsible older sibling
Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.
Be alert to auto traffic, crossing safely according to rules
Have parents or other adults inspect treats
Remind children: accept no rides from strangers

Did You Know?

It is believed that trick-or-treating began in Ireland. In preparation for All Hallow’s Eve, townsfolk would visit neighbors to ask for contributions of food for a feast in town.
Halloween is second only to Christmas in consumer spending.
The largest pumpkin and largest fruit on record was grown in Henniker, N.H. and weighed 1,458 pounds.

Halloween at the YMCA will be celebrated at the new Creekside YMCA Outdoor Adventure Center located at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive in The Woodlands. For more information on YMCA membership, programs and activities please call 281-367-YMCA or visit www.southcounty-ymca.org.

Filed Under: Events, YMCA Tagged With: Halloween, YMCA

Light the Night for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

October 15, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

Honored Hero, Kylynne Ubernosky of Conroe, TX, is battling leukemia.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual “Light the Night Montgomery County Walk” returns to The Woodlands, Sunday, October 24^th, at Market Street in The Woodlands. The program will begin at 7:00pm and the walk begins promptly at 7:30pm. Light the Night Walk is the nation’s night to pay tribute and illuminating hope to people battling cancer. Funds raised enable scientists to continue their research. LLS-funded research has led to key advances in understanding blood cancers and has helped produce new treatments to enhance and prolong lives. Locally, over $20 million dollars per year go to researchers in the Texas Medical Center. The overall survival rate has tripled in the past 40 years for patients with leukemia.

Light the Night Walk is a national fundraising campaign that commemorates and celebrates all lives touched by cancer. Company teams, civic groups, neighbors and friends raise funds strolling on an evening walk along a two mile route carrying twinkling balloons . . . White balloons for survivors, Red balloons for supporters and gold balloons in memory of a life lost. Walkers carry dedication banners that provide an opportunity to display a name or message, honoring or commemorating a family member or friend with cancer. More than a walk, Light the Night is an inspirational community celebration with food, live entertainment and family activities – a community coming together to support people with cancer and take steps to cure cancer. In recent years, walks all over the country have raised tens of millions of dollars.

The 2 mile walk will begin and end in Market Street. The course will take the walkers through a leisurely stroll through Market Street and the Woodlands Town Center. The event will also feature live entertainment, activities for the kids including mascots, face painting and refreshments. Something for everyone, families are encouraged to bring the kids and strollers and join the fun at one of the fastest growing walks in the country.

Roxanne Smith Davis, a committee member for Light the Night Montgomery County Walk, explains her involvement. “This event has a special place in my heart. I lost both of my parents, Doc and Helen Smith, to blood cancer. My parents lived and worked in Montgomery County for 40+ years. Light the Night Walk is truly a unique event. When the balloons are lit at dusk, your spirit is illuminated by all the white balloons representing cancer survivors. Your heart is filled with hope and fond memories of those lost to blood cancer represented by the red balloons. It is an evening you will not forget. For those than cannot participate in the walk, there are many opportunities to donate a gift. Help LLS scientists in their research to find a cure for a disease that is the number one cancer killer of children and young adults under the age of 20. Your heart melts when you meet the brave children fighting blood cancer. Take Steps to Cure Cancer. Please give when asked or you can make a donation online at www.lightthenight.org/txg”.

Team captains are encouraged to register their team, recruit walkers and begin raising funds. Set a goal for your team and encourage friends, family members and co/workers to join you. Representatives from the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society are eager and available to meet with you and your co/workers to set up FUN-raisers such as ice cream socials. Call Jennifer Tucker, 713-680-8088, to set up an appointment.

Check in for teams begin at 5:30pm. The band will play 6:00 – 7:00pm. At 7:00pm the event begins with an invocation and program with the walk start time at 7:30pm. Following the walk, there will be a brief awards presentation.

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissues.

Every 4 minutes, someone in the United States learns that they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma – nearly 350 people a day and that statistic continues to rise.
Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.
An estimated 912,000 Americans are presently living with, or in remission from leukemia, lymphoma Hodgkin’s disease or myeloma.
Every 9 minutes, another child or adult dies from a blood-related cancer. This statistic represents 165 people daily.

If you are interested in sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, forming a team, make or donation or need additional information on the 5th Annual Light the Night Walk in The Woodlands please visit www.lightthenight.org/tx. or call 713-680-8088. On site registration will be available on October 24th, beginning at 5:30pm.

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Funds raised through the walk go towards finding a cure and supporting the mission of the society. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is one of the top rated voluntary health organizations and the leading resource for blood cancer information and services. Since its founding in 1949 LLS has invested more than $680 million in blood cancer research. Locally, over $20 million dollars per year go to researchers in the Texas Medical Center. Texas Gulf Coast Chapter has the largest disbursement in patient-aid giving $315,000 in 2009.

Filed Under: Events, YMCA Tagged With: cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Leukemia, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Light the Night, Lymphoma, Market Street, YMCA

Workout for Pink at the YMCA

October 14, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

YMCA Staff Pumping Up for Pink: Back Row: Levitia Simmons, Shellee Eudy and Catherine Irvin. Front Row: Chris Rall

The South Montgomery County YMCA is launching “Work Out for Pink”, an exercise incentive program that takes place in October, during “Breast Cancer Awareness” month. Work Out for Pink encourages everyone to become more active and at the same time workout in support of all those that have been affected by breast cancer. Participant’s packet is filled with breast cancer awareness articles, resources, exercise log form, YMCA T-shirt and thermal sling bag.

The program encourages everyone to track their workouts during the month of October. At the end of the month, participants’ names will be entered into a drawing for some great prizes. The more you workout the more entries you earn into the drawing!

Work Out for Pink not only benefits the individual by encouraging them to get more active, but a portion of the registration fee will benefit the YMCA Restoration Rehabilitation Program. Launched in the spring of 2009, Restoration, is a Pilates based exercise recovery program. Restoration helps breast cancer survivors to restore mobility, improve circulation, regain energy and rebuild strength in a safe and relaxed environment. In addition this relaxed form of exercise will improve self confidence and quality of life while reducing emotional stress. This program, which strengthens the mind-body connection during the recovery process, is available to all breast cancer survivors, whether they are eight weeks or eight years post op.

In addition to Work Out for Pink, the YMCA is offering Free Restoration Classes for Breast Cancer Survivors: Oct. 11, 2pm; Oct. 15, 7pm; Oct. 18, 2pm; Oct. 20, Noon; and Oct. 25, 2pm all at the Shadowbend YMCA in The Woodlands. The free classes are open to the community but pre-registration is required. To register please contact Shellee Eudy, 281-364-0258 or shellee.eudy@ymcahouston.org.

Shellee Eudy of The Woodlands, a Pink Ribbon Program Certified Instructor and veteran YMCA Fitness Instructor is the Restoration instructor. Her professional credentials include ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Pilates Professional and Post Rehabilitative Exercise Specialist.

Pink Ribbon Program Certified Instructors understand the importance of working in alignment with medical professionals in program assessment, exercise guidelines, protocols and implementation to assist the breast cancer survivor in lowering the risk of lymphedema and other complications, both long and short term.

The next session begins October 25th but participants can join the class anytime in mid-session. Class days will be Mondays at 12:30pm or Tuesday evenings, 5:30pm. The program includes a private personalized patient assessment, 6 weeks of specialized exercise in a relaxed small group format and an exercise booklet. Participants must have a doctor’s release prior to entrance into program. Private sessions available upon request.

For more information on Work Out for Pink or Restoration, please contact Shellee Eudy, 281-364-0258 or Michelle Hill, YMCA Wellness Director at 281-367-9622. To register, please stop by the South Montgomery County YMCAs, 6145 Shadowbend Place or 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands. Get pink at the YMCA.

Filed Under: YMCA Tagged With: breast cancer, Workout for Pink, YMCA

YMCA Holds Golf Fore Kids Charity Tournament

October 8, 2010 By Roxanne Davis, YMCA Leave a Comment

The South Montgomery County YMCA invites all golfers to join us for the YMCA Golf Fore Kids Charity Tournament “Presented by Marimon” on Monday, November 1st. The tournament will be held at the award winning Tournament Course, donated by The Woodlands Country Club. Playing the Tournament Course of The Woodlands Country Club gives golfers the unique opportunity to enjoy golf on a world class championship calibre golf course.

The Tournament Course enjoys a storied history with the biggest names in golf having walked these fairways and greens. Tournament winners over the years have included Vijay Singh, Payne Stewart, Curtis Strange, Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin, David Duval and Hal Sutton. Other big names to have played here include Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson and Annika Sorenstam.

The course measures 7,018 yards from the back tees, 6,295 yards from the middle tees and 5,326 yards from the forward tees. Designed to place a premium on hitting fairways, the Tournament Course is a thorough but fair test for golfers of all playing abilities. The 17^th and 18^th holes are reknown for consistently ranking as two of the four toughest holes in Texas. With its storied history and reputation as being one of the best golf courses in the Southwest, the Tournament Course continues to be a true golfer’s delight.

The tournament benefits the South Montgomery County YMCA Outreach Programs. The YMCA strives to turn no one away for inability to pay. More than $600,000 in scholarships and subsidized programs are awarded annually so every child is able to participate in values-based Y Programs and given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Your local YMCA serves over 1700 kids daily providing character enrichment programs for at risk youth and teens such as Day Camp, Teen Camp, Youth Sports, Pre-School and AfterSchool Care, Swim Lessons, Elementary School Mentoring, Performing Arts, Teen Leadership and much more. Lives are impacted everyday through YMCA community outreach helping kids and families grow in spirit, mind and body.

YMCA Golf Fore Kids Charity Tournament “Presented by Marimon” is a shamble format, (with a unique twist) with a shotgun start at 12:30pm, Monday, November 1st at the Tournament Course donated by The Woodlands Country Club. Entry fee includes boxed lunch, range balls, green fee, golf cart, water & soft drinks, golf shirt, sunglasses, dinner, goodie bag and more! The dinner will be held immediately following tournament play in the clubhouse dining room along with awards presentation and live auction.

To register visit www.ymca-marimongolf4kids.org. Registration forms are also available at the South Montgomery County YMCAs, 6145 Shadowbend Place and 8100 Ashlane Way in The Woodlands and The Woodlands Country Club. For more information please call Roxanne Davis, 281-681-6723.

Filed Under: Events, YMCA Tagged With: golf, The Woodlands Country Club, YMCA