Thank you to everyone who sponsored, came to, bid on silent auction items, contributed toward our successful paddle raise, donated and made items, volunteered, and supported our YMCA and our 125th Anniversary. We are better together.
The MDI community came out in a big way to celebrate the YMCA's 125th Anniversary at a gala event last Thursday July 11th at The Bar Harbor Club. Community was the theme embodied by the spirit of the more than 200 attendees and echoed by the evening’s speakers, award
recipients, and generous supporters. The evening was both a celebration of the past and a strengthening of the YMCA's future of continued service to all. The gathering of old and new friends began with cocktails and a silent auction on the terrace, a curated display by the Bar Harbor Historical Society of MDI YMCA memorabilia, then moved to a buffet dinner interspersed with insights from guest speakers, reflections by the YMCA's award recipients, and a paddle raise to support a few of the Y’s most valuable programs, most notably the new endowment MacLeod Fund, to support free swim lessons and water safety for all five year old children, and scholarship for summer day camp.
A surprise appearance by MDI Y member and regular exerciser Senator George Mitchell thrilled the audience, with the Senator receiving a standing ovation as he walked to the podium. His brief remarks, warmly received, emphasized the central role of the MDI YMCA to the health and well-being of all its members.Steve Gurin, MDI Y Board Chairman and SVP at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, then introduced Earl Brechlin, who adeptly noted the MDI Y’s presence and leadership over 125 years. The inevitable and unstoppable Lenny DeMuro entertained and reminded the ballroom audience of all that the Y has meant to the children, families, and seniors of our island community.The 125th Anniversary celebration was also the time for the MDI Y to make its most importantannual awards. The new 2024 Community Advocate Award was presented to Jill Goldthwait forhaving driven so much positive change and advocacy for our island community. The MDI YMCATriangle Award was presented to Dean Read, Treasurer of the Y’s Board and Trustee Member,for his decades of service and stewardship of the MDI YMCA’s mission and inspiration toothers.The dynamic trio of Maine legislators Sen. Nicole Grohoski, Rep. Holly Eaton and Rep. NinaMilliken were warmly welcomed and thanked for joining in the celebration. They presented aLegislative Sentiment in recognition of the MDI Y’s 125 years of community service, includingpersonal expressions of what the Y has meant to their own families and the constituents theyserve.The print program recognized the most generous contributors to the evening’s celebration. Atpress time, the financial support from the evening’s sponsors and attendees via tickets, silentauction, and the paddle raise had generated $115,000 toward the goal of $125,000. Donationsare always welcome at mdiymca.org.
