Editor, Gazette-Journal:

On a regular basis, we field calls from prospective new members about how we compare to other health clubs. For example, "Do you have the same equipment as Health Club X?" Or, "Health Club X is offering a free month of membership. Are you running any specials?" The caller at the other end of the phone line is usually pretty surprised when our response is "We are not a health club."

This statement sounds a bit odd, but it lies at the core of who the Y is and what makes us different, and why we are so important to the community. It’s true that we have a fitness center with treadmills, elliptical machines and resistance machines. We also have fitness classes ranging from Yoga to Zumba. But for the YMCA, these are just a means to helping our members and the community lead a healthier life in spirit, mind and body. It’s one of the tools that we use in a uniquely "Y" way to make our mission become reality.

There’s so much more going on here ...