Last year I joined Franklin County’s Y. Over the last few years, my wife Lee and I have donated to the Y, and this year I am a volunteer for the annual campaign. I want to share my why for our Y.

Decades ago we had a family membership, when our daughters were in pre-school, taking swimming lessons, and later attending middle school dances. Lee worked out at the Y to keep fit during her pregnancy with our daughter Maddy. As we all got busy with other things we stopped our membership. Truth be told, I am not a “joine,r” even though I know sometimes it’s good for me. This last year has been different. I retired last year and knew finding new connections, new routines for health, and community would be important. While not a joiner myself, I’d watched Maddy, over the last number of years, be a dedicated “gym rat” at the Y. Over the years she has mentioned that though there are a number of gyms in town where she could lift, she stayed with the Y because of the community of members, programs and mission. For her, the Y truly is about more than building muscle. So much so that now she is not only a member, she is working there forwarding the mission of building an inclusive Y.

When I joined in the fall Katie, one of the trainers, oriented me to the strength equipment that I wanted to work on. The support and encouragement in building a program that is right for me was a great introduction. Honestly, some weeks are better than others for me getting my workouts in, and every time I go I am reminded of what is so great about the Y, and I am glad I got there. One of the last times I was there I was quite struck at what I saw as I wound my way from the treadmills and stationary bikes through the halls and stairways to the back parking lot. First was the wall after wall of upcoming programs and events.. Things like Healthy Kids day, Safety Around Water, Teen Lift Night, Enhance Fitness, Lasting Lifestyles, Pride Parade, and educational lunch and learns. Then I noticed Dad’s and Granddad’s bringing kids in for programs. Mom’s coming to pick up from preschool and afterschool. And each door I passed seemed to have the name of yet another program I was curious about on the door.

So I am looking forward to finding more whys for our Y! I hope you will consider exploring your Y. Maybe joining again, maybe donating for the first time or maybe finding ways to support, volunteer, or dig deeper into your community. I am delighted to be able to be a part of such a strong and inclusive community like our Franklin County’s Y.

Bob Oldenburg lives in Greenfield.