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CNN Live Saturday
YMCA Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Aired June 02, 2001 - 12:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Guess what's 150 years old this year? Little clue, of course, right over my shoulder, here. It's the Web site for the YMCA. That address is YMCA.net.
They kick off the momentous occasion earlier this morning. About a quarter of million Americans across the country simultaneously kicked off what the Y calls the world's largest run.
To coordinate such a huge event, you turn to this man: Dan Maier, who is the director of association advancement for the Y.
Dan, glad you could come to talk to us. Thanks.
DAN MAIER, YMCA RACE DIRECTOR: Oh, great to be here.
KELLEY: Yeah. Well, how did you get this coordinated, and how many people do you think really did take part this morning?
MAIER: Well, we had 700 sites across the country from Maine to Hawaii -- Hawaii starting at four in the morning, believe it or not -- 10:00 a.m. on the Eastern coast. And we had 700 sites, 1,200 Ys organizing it.
And of course, the Y is a community organization, and therefore they had the facilities, they had the wherewithal, and most importantly, they had the volunteers to put it together.
We think...
KELLEY: And when they -- when they run -- and they'll benefit in the local Y from where they're running?
MAIER: Absolutely. All the funds stay in the community. As a not-for-profit, we raise millions every year to make sure that everyone's welcome at the Y and that we can provide whatever services they need in their community.
KELLEY: I think, probably, Dan, people would find it interesting to give us a little bit of background on how the Y started back in Boston.
MAIER: Oh, it's amazing. A hundred fifty years ago -- 1851 -- it started -- just a handful of gentlemen -- a sea captain and his friends started the Y in Boston, having heard about it in England. And today, it's spread across the country to 2,500 YMCAs in every state in the union; virtually every community -- 10,000 communities. And it's spread very quickly.
And it's had a role in American society all through -- both starting in the Civil War and war relief service for the Northern and Southern troops, thorough World War I and its service there.
A lot of people are familiar with the housing that that Y provided around the turn of the century.
But most significantly from most of our standpoints is probably the inventions that have come out of the Y -- basketball, volleyball, even racquetball, got its start at the Y.
KELLEY: And between about 17 and 18 million people now -- at least even one in three Americans has belonged to a Y at some point.
MAIER: Well, think about yourself and your crew there. There's usually somebody who started...
KELLEY: I did, too.
MAIER: Absolutely. Swim lessons, day camp -- maybe you were in a mentor program.
Whenever the community services are needed, the Y will provide it in that community and -- well, let me give you an example: Our of the last six presidents, five of them have had their lives touched by the Y. George Bush grew up the Y. His father was actually the founding chairman of the Midland, Texas, Y.
Ronald Reagan was a YMCA lifeguard and also played in the band in Dixon, Illinois.
So no matter who you are or what part of the country you come, race, religion, gender -- the Y probably touched you in some way.
KELLEY: You know, even since you've come onboard, I thought it was really heartening, Dan, that the growth is up quite a bit.
MAIER: Oh, we've never been bigger and we've never been able to raise more money -- which stays in the community, goes right back to services in the community for kids who need child care, kids who need after-school programming, seniors who need special services -- everything stays right there in the community.
KELLEY: Really good for the kids. Give us an idea of what the programs are now for kid.
MAIER: Well, actually, we're the largest provider of after- school and child care in America. And that's an important time of the day for both parents and kids.
That's our largest program by number of people served, but actually, you know about all the swim lessons you can get at the Y, health and fitness, mentoring, tutoring. It depends on the community you're in, because the YMCA in every community is locally run. It's run by local volunteers, it has professional staff. And so they design the programs that you need in your community.
So there is no such thing as a typical Y. It changes every place you go.
KELLEY: Hope it's super-successful, and a happy anniversary to the Y.
Dan Maier, who's the director for the association for advancement for the YMCA, thank you so much for joining us.
MAIER: Great to be here. Thanks.
KELLEY: We'll see you soon.
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