Operation Homefront and Armed Services YMCA Collaborate to Support Military Families
Press Release | Oct. 25, 2010
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San Antonio – Operation Homefront and the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) announce a commitment to collaborate on the provision of programs and services to military personnel and their families. The two leading military support organizations will refer those who need their services to each other based on available programs, allowing them to better serve those who serve. Operation Homefront is a national non-profit organization that provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and Wounded Warriors. The ASYMCA provides a variety of recreation, wellness and other programs and services for military personnel and their families.
“We’re pleased to be able to work more closely with the Armed Services YMCA as we both serve our military families,” said Jim Knotts, President and CEO of Operation Homefront. “Our service members on the battlefield are more successful when they work as a team, and we’re more successful in taking care of military families when we work with other great organizations that share our commitment and values. Each playing to our strengths, we can more effectively and efficiently get military families to the organization best suited to meeting specific needs.”
“We are proud to work closely with Operation Homefront to better serve our military families in need,” said Mike Landers, National Executive Director and CEO of the Armed Services YMCA.. “With our shared commitment to making military life easier, this collaboration is a tremendous opportunity to expand our program and service offerings to better serve those who rely on our organizations.”
Both the Armed Services YMCA and Operation Homefront have received a four star, exceptional rating from Charity Navigator for several years running.
“ASYMCA and Operation Homefront are both best-in-class organizations that help fill gaps in supporting military families,” continued Knotts. When we work together, it is our military families who reap the benefits.”
The partnership will also extend to the Army Homefront Fund, a legal sub-entity of Operation Homefront, which provides emergency financial and other support to Soldiers and their families, with a focus on Wounded Warrior care and transition assistance.
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About Operation Homefront: A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 5000 volunteers across 26 chapters and has met more than 430,000 needs since 2002. As four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, and a top-rated charity by the American Institute of Philanthropy, Operation Homefront ensures that 94 percent of its total donated revenue goes to programs. More information is available at www.OperationHomefront.net.
ABOUT ASYMCA: 150 Years of Service to America’s Military: The YMCA’s dedication to America’s armed forces began in 1861 when a handful of members voluntarily provided relief services to Civil War soldiers. Today, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is the leading private provider of educational, recreational, social and support services to military personnel and their families, promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
The Armed Services YMCA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, recently earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year and is a top-rated charity according to the American Institute of Philanthropy. An affiliate of the YMCA of the USA, ASYMCA is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. For more information, visit www.asymca.org.
Armed Services YMCA Receives $40,000 Commitment from Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems
Press Release | Oct. 12, 2011
Alexandria, Va. – The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) today received a commitment for $40,000 from Bell Helicopter and its parent company Textron Systems to support its mission to provide programs and services that make military life easier for men and women in uniform and their families in 2012. Textron Systems Corporation President and CEO Frederick Strader and Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison presented the check to ASYMCA at a reception in Washington, DC on Monday.
”We are extremely grateful for the continued support of Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems, and the commitment they have made today to support American servicemen and women,” said Armed Services YMCA National Executive Director and CEO Mike Landers. “Their contribution will aid in the success of our efforts to make military life easier through our ever-growing roster of programs and services. With strong partners like these, we are able to do more every year.”
In 2010, the Armed Services YMCA provided support services for more than 400,000 individuals. Marking their 150th year of service this year, the organization continues to work with partners like Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems and an extensive roster of volunteers to further its position as the leading private provider of educational, recreational, social and support services to military personnel and their families
“Bell Helicopter is delighted to play a role in the great work that the Armed Services YMCA does every day for our military personnel and their families,” said Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison. “This financial contribution reflects our corporate commitment to honoring those who serve.”
In addition to this contribution, Bell Helicopter is working with the ASYMCA on opportunities associated with its title sponsorship of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The game will be played on December 30, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
ASYMCA Launches “Operation: Lighten the Load”
Social media campaign encourages troops and military families to share their stories to raise understanding and appreciation of military life
Alexandria, Va. – The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) today launched “Operation: Lighten the Load,” a campaign designed to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation of the heavy burden of military life for service members and their families alike, and what others can do to make life easier for those who are dedicated to serving our nation.
The campaign hub is www.operationlightentheload.org, where service members and military families are encouraged to upload videos of their “military life” stories and how the programs and services of the Armed Services YMCA help make their lives easier. They are stories of hope, strength and sacrifice that show just how great their commitment is to our country – and just how much they deserve the support of the neighbors, communities and organizations like the Armed Services YMCA. Volunteers and supporters are also encouraged to share videos of why they’ve made a commitment to help “Lighten the Load.”
Selected stories will be chosen to appear in a public service announcement for the Armed Services YMCA, airing Dec. 30, 2011, during the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on ESPN. The stories will also appear on the jumbotron inside Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas during the game.
Soldiers, military families, volunteers and civilians will also be encouraged to share their stories or show their gratitude and support via Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #asymca.
“For families of deployed military personnel, support programs and services help make life easier as they try to cope and continue marching forward in the absence of their loved one,” said Armed Services YMCA National Director and CEO CAPTAIN Mike Landers, USN (Ret). “For our troops – both at home and away – helping care for them and their families lifts the weight of worry from their shoulders, so they can feel confident that their loved ones are in good hands while they focus on the mission at hand.”
“We are excited to be launching this campaign – the first of its kind for the Armed Services YMCA,” said Deputy National Director and COO Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, USA (Ret). “This is a new and engaging way to raise support and awareness for America’s service members and their families, and show support for the Armed Services YMCA as we help make their military lives easier.”
Like ASYMCA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/asymca
Follow ASYMCA on Twitter: @asymca and @asymca_coo
Watch the Operation: Lighten the Load stories: http://vimeo.com/groups/lightentheload/videos
Download the full press release
Armed Services YMCA Receives Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for Sixth Consecutive Year
Press Release | Sept. 28, 2011
Alexandria, Va. – The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) has received an “Exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator for the sixth straight year. The designation recognizes ASYMCA for consistently executing its mission to make military life easier in a fiscally responsible way. Charity Navigator is the nation’s leading independent charity evaluator, reviewing more than 5,500 organizations annually.
The Armed Services YMCA received its sixth consecutive four-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency, placing the organization among only three percent of all ranked charities. Organizations reviewed earn zero to four stars based on their ability to efficiently manage and grow finances.
“We are honored to be among the nation’s elite charitable organizations and proud of this tremendous recognition from Charity Navigator,” said Armed Services YMCA CEO Mike Landers. “Maintaining our keen focus on our operations allows us to maximize our program and service offerings to our junior enlisted military personnel and their families. This recognition is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our professional staff and the keen oversight and commitment of our local branch boards and National Board of Directors. Commemorating our 150th year of service this year, we look forward to continuing our work in the months and years ahead.”
Charity Navigator highlights the work of efficient, ethical and open charities in order to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.
“This ‘exceptional’ designation not only differentiates the Armed Services YMCA from its peers, it indicates that the organization outperforms most other charities in America, demonstrating to the public it is worthy of their trust,” said Ken Berger, President and CEO of Charity Navigator.
Read the Letter from Charity Navigator
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Woman’s Day: “Support Our Troops!”
Woman’s Day asks you to help them “Support Our Troops!” by donating to the Armed Services YMCA. Click the WD icon below to donate:
Our great nation’s birthday is fast approaching, and it’s an important time to thank our country and our service members and their resilient families. The July issue of Womans’s Day magazine does just that. Siobhan Fallon, and Army spouse and author of You Know When the Men are Gone, penned an amazing essay for the issue about the lives of military families, titled, “The Brave: Standing Together in the Dawn’s Early Light.”
Woman’s Day also encourages everyone to “Support Our Troops!” by donating to the Armed Services YMCA:
Help us thank our troops by making a donation to the Armed Services YMCA, which this year celebrates 150 years of continuous service to americas military — junior enlisted service members and their families. Send a check payable to Armed Services YMCA (write Woman’s Day on the memo line or on the envelope) to 6359 Walker Lane, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22310. To donate by credit card, call 800-597-1260 (9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET).
Congratulations to the 2011 Essay Contest GRAND PRIZE WINNER
The Armed Services YMCA is proud to announce that Kaitlyn Nicole Woodruff, and 8th grader from Valdosta, Georgia, has been voted the 2011 ASYMCA Student Essay Contest Grand Prize Winner. For the first time, ASYMCA turned to our “fans” on Facebook to determine the grand prize winner of our annual Student Art and Essay Contest. Read her essay here.
Kaitlyn Nicole won 1st Place in the 7th/8th grade category of the contest with her “My Military Hero” essay, earning her a spot in the Grand Prize contest along with 11 other 1st and 2nd place winners from grades K-12.
As the Grand Prize winner, Kaitlyn Nicole will receive an additional $500 U.S. Savings Bond, in addition to her other prizes.
The 12 winners of the 2011 art contest (two from each branch of service) and 12 winners of the 2011 essay contest were recognized at a dinner in the Washington, D.C., region on May 12. All winning artwork will be featured on the annual Military Family Month Poster, which is distributed to Members of Congress and the Department of Defense, and displayed publicly throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who voted on Facebook! And a special THANK YOU to the amazing, resilient children who put so much love and dedication into their drawings, and who are true heroes for the sacrifices they make for our country each and every day!
To learn more about the annual ASYMCA Student Art and Essay Contest, and see this year’s winning artwork and essays, click here.
ASYMCA Selects Michael Landers as New National Executive Director and CEO
Press Release | May 16, 2011
Landers to Assume New Office Effective June 1, 2011
Alexandria, Va. – The National Board of Directors of the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) elected Michael J. Landers as National Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, a post he will assume following the retirement of Frank Gallo on May 31, 2011. In its 150th anniversary year, the ASYMCA is dedicated to providing programs to support the men and women of America’s military, and their resilient families.
Landers has spent the last 12 years serving as organization’s Deputy National Director and Chief Operations Officer. Prior to his employment with the Armed Services YMCA he served for 31 years in the Navy and retired as a Captain in December 1998.
“Mike’s dynamic leadership and dedication to the mission of the Armed Services YMCA, his innovative work in all facets of military family development programs, along with his focus on fiscal responsibility and his vision for the organization made him the perfect fit for the job,” said Gene Habiger, Chairman of the Board of Directors, who led a six-month, comprehensive search for the position. “There was simply no one who could compare to Mike in terms of breadth of experience, dynamic leadership skills and passion for the Armed Services YMCA.”
Landers worked with current ASYMCA National Executive Director Frank Gallo, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret) to find his replacement, and the board of directors named Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, US Army (Ret) as the incoming Deputy National Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.
“For a dozen years I’ve been privileged to work alongside Adm. Gallo and the tens of thousands of employees and volunteers that make the Armed Services YMCA the nation’s leading program provider for the resilient families of our men and women in uniform,” said Landers. “I am humbled by the confidence of the board in my abilities to lead the ASYMCA forward. Assuming the reigns in the 150th anniversary year of this storied organization is a tremendous honor.”
Together, Landers and Landwermeyer will work to expand the ASYMCA’s reach to serve even more of the dedicated military personnel who serve us, developing more programs and increasing partnerships to assure the organization continues to make a difference.
Landwermeyer comes to the ASYMCA from a civilian position in the office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, Landwermeyer served 33 years in the Army, culminating his distinguished military service as the Director of Operations for the Assistant Chief of Staff for the Installation Management on the Army Staff at the Pentagon.
Download the PDF press release.
ASYMCA Honors Individuals and Organizations for Supporting Military Families at 24th Annual Recognition Dinner
Press Release | May 13, 2011
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) today presented a number of awards to outstanding individuals and programs that work to improve the quality of life for junior enlisted personnel and their families at their 24th Annual Recognition Dinner in Alexandria, Va. last night. In its 150th anniversary year, the ASYMCA is dedicated to providing programs to support the men and women of America’s military, and their resilient families.
ASYMCA, with support from event sponsor General Dynamics, announced winners of the following awards:
- ASYMCA Annual Art and Essay Contest – 24 K-12 students from forward operating positions around the world and Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia received savings bonds for original works on their military families and heroes;
- Raytheon Program Achievement Awards – ASYMCA branches from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, San Diego, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii were recognized for most innovative improvement, best use of volunteers and best new program for military personnel and their families, respectively; and
- Raytheon Community YMCA Awards – Regional YMCA branches from Newton, Mass., Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Des Moines, Iowa, and Estes Park, Colorado were honored for offering the best programs supporting the military.
“Every year I have the distinct honor to recognize the efforts of extraordinary people and programs that share the ASYMCA’s commitment to our men and women in uniform and their resilient families,” said ASYMCA National Executive Director Frank Gallo, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret). “This year’s winners are among the best examples I’ve seen of resolve to support members of the military.”
In addition to the annual awards, the ASYMCA honored Scott Celley, Vice President of External Affairs at TriWest Healthcare Alliance, with the National Spirit of Giving Award for outstanding character and contribution to his community.
“It is a great privilege to recognize Scott’s contributions to this organization and the many others he dedicates himself to throughout the country. He has made and continues to make a positive, lasting impact on his community through his dedication to serving U.S. military families,” said Gallo.
For more detail on award winning programs and content, including copies of all student art and essay winners, please visit http://www.asymca.org/press/.
Download the PDF press release.
ASYMCA Awards National Spirit of Giving Award to Scott Celley
Press Release | May 13, 2011
Alexandria, Va. – The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) presented its National Spirit of Giving Award to Scott K. Celley, Vice President of External Affairs at TriWest Healthcare Alliance, during the organization’s 24th Annual Recognition Dinner in Alexandria, Va. last night. In its 150th anniversary year, the ASYMCA is dedicated to providing programs to support the men and women of America’s military, and their resilient families.
Celley has more than 20 years experience in the government relations and communication arena, including service as a Senior Advisor to both federal and state officials. In addition to his work at the TriWest, Celley is a National Board Member and Communications Committee Chairman of the ASYMCA, a Board Member of Operation Homefront, and a Board Member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Over the past five years, his dedication has resulted in more than $1.5 million in donations to the Armed Services YMCA.
“Scott is a great asset for the ASYMCA and for the military personnel we serve,” said ASYMCA National Executive Director Frank Gallo, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret). “It is a great privilege to recognize Scott’s contributions to this organization and the many others he dedicates himself to throughout the country. He has made and continues to make a positive, lasting impact on his community through his dedication to serving U.S. military families.”
The ASYMCA Recognition Dinner is held annually during Military Appreciation Month in May — with support from event sponsor General Dynamics — to recognize individuals and programs that support military personnel and their families. Also recognized today were the 24 K-12 winners of the ASYMCA annual art and essay contests; ASYMCA branches recognized as Raytheon Program Achievement Award winners; and YMCA branches honored for outstanding programs supporting the military.
For more detail on award winning programs and content, including copies of all student art and essay winners, please visit http://www.asymca.org/press/.
Download the PDF press release.
Congratulations to the 2011 Art Contest GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
Rory McPherson, Kittery, Maine, U.S. Coast Guard
The Armed Services YMCA is proud to announce that Rory McPherson, a 3rd-grader from Kittery, Maine, has been voted the 2011 ASYMCA Student Art Contest Grand Prize Winner. For the first time, ASYMCA turned to our “fans” on Facebook to determine the grand prize winner of our annual Student Art and Essay Contest.
Rory won 1st Place in the Coast Guard category of the contest with her “My Military Family” drawing, earning her a spot in the Grand Prize contest along with 11 other 1st and 2nd place winners from each of the U.S. military branches.
As the Grand Prize winner, Rory will receive an additional $500 U.S. Savings Bond, in addition to her other prizes.
The 12 winners of the 2011 art contest (two from each branch of service) and 12 winners of the 2011 essay contest will be recognized at a dinner in the Washington, D.C., region tonight (May 12). All winning artwork will be featured on the annual Military Family Month Poster, which is distributed to Members of Congress and the Department of Defense, and displayed publicly throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who voted on Facebook! And a special THANK YOU to the amazing, resilient children who put so much love and dedication into their drawings, and who are true heroes for the sacrifices they make for our country each and every day!
To learn more about the annual ASYMCA Student Art and Essay Contest, and see this year’s winning artwork and essays, click here.
Bell Helicopter and its parent company Textron Systems, support The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and have committed $40,000 to support our mission to provide programs and services that make military life easier for men and women in uniform and their families in 2012.