The Adventure Princess program brings dads and daughters together

The Adventure Princess program brings dads and daughters together

The Lake Highlands YMCA is preparing to kick off their annual campaign, and Chairman Jody Zorn says there’s no better time to boost an organization that enhances Lake Highlands in such a wide variety of ways.

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“The Y gives us an opportunity to connect with the LH community and make a difference,” Zorn told me. “I don’t know if we can save the world, but we can have a tremendous impact on the diverse community that is Lake Highlands.”

The LH YMCA offers a vast array of programming, including Adventure Guides and Princesses (father/child bonding through recreation and camping), youth team athletics (soccer, basketball, football, cheerleading, baseball, t-ball, golf, swim team and martial arts), summer camps and after-school activities to keep kids productive and safe, and exercise for patrons from 9 to 99.

“My greatest excitement is the Make-A-Splash program,” added Zorn. “For $1,500 we can teach kids in apartment communities to swim, and that’s important because every apartment complex in Lake Highlands has a swimming pool. Texas has the highest incidence of drowning in the nation. If we can generate funds to save just one life – how great is that?”

Bobby Timmer, the YMCA’s Director of Acquatics, agrees.

LH YMCA

LH YMCA

“Watching these kids learn to swim is so gratifying,” Bobby told me. “Seeing the looks on their faces – at first a few are pretty nervous. Some have never put their head below water before. Messing around in the water is a lot different from learning to swim. But when they’re finished, they don’t think of it as safety, they think of it as fun.”

The YMCA, which opened at its current location on Greenville Avenue in 2000, seeks diversity in participation. Of 1300 members, 60% are on scholarship.

“We never actually give anything away for free,” said Clint Elliott, Senior Programs Director. “Folks always have some skin in the game. Memberships can be scholarshipped, with a fair price negotiated to participate.”

“This year’s fundraising campaign started off with a bang and we have great momentum,” added Zorn. “We’ve had a few donors, like Sewell Lexus, step up and we’re hoping to hear from others.”

“I’ve lived in Lake Highlands for a long time – I’ll move out of here in a pine box,” joked Zorn. “This is an opportunity for all of us in the community to give back.”

If you’d like to make a donation, you can email Jody Zorn at jzorn@independent-bank.com for more information.