Hunterdon County YMCA Helps Preschoolers Get off to the Right Start

(March 12, 2010) - The Hunterdon County YMCA operates half-day preschool programs in Clinton and Milford for children ages 2 ½ to 5 years and a full-day Child Care and Learning Center in Annandale for children ages 6 months to five years. Registration is currently being accepted for the preschool programs for the 2010/2011 school year. In addition, limited spaces are available for spring enrollment at the full-day Child Care and Learning Center.

The YMCA’s early education programs utilize the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum to prepare children for grade school. The YMCA also incorporates it values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into its daily activities. As an Activate America YMCA, health and wellness are emphasized in early education programs.

So that all children have access to these programs, financial assistance is available to qualified applicants. Families interested in applying for financial assistance for the YMCA’s half-day preschool programs or full-day childcare programs can obtain an application at the Deer Path or Round Valley Branch of Hunterdon County YMCA or online at www.hcymca.org. Funds for the financial assistance program are made possible through generous donations to the Strong Kids Campaign. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign provides the funds that allow the YMCA to offer membership and program assistance each year. All contributions to the Campaign remain in our local community, giving children and families a chance to grow stronger in spirit, mind and body at the YMCA. In 2009, nearly 30% of the children participating in YMCA early education programs were able to do so through financial assistance.

For more information about preschool and childcare programs at the Hunterdon County YMCA, contact Carla Myer, Early Childhood Education Director, at 908-236-0055, ext. 23.

Special Program For Teens at the Hunterdon County YMCA

Hunterdon County YMCA teen volunteers planned an event for teens, a presentation by YMCA board member and Olympic Gold Medalist (Rowing, Athens, 2004) Jason Read, “How To Achieve Your Gold Medal Dreams – My Journey From The Hunterdon County YMCA To The Olympic Games.” The event was held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the YMCA Deer Path Branch. All proceeds benefited the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, a scholarship fund for those who otherwise would not be able to afford YMCA programs and services. This year’s theme for the campaign is “Going for the Gold.”


Pictured left to right: Cyrene Dalman, Lindsey Arnold, Jason Read, Kristin Pargeans, Norah Mardini, Dale Hammond

Special Program For Teens at the Hunterdon County YMCA

Special Program For Teens at the Hunterdon County YMCA
What It Takes to Achieve Your Gold Medal Dreams
My Journey from the Hunterdon County YMCA to the Olympic Games
Presented By Jason Read, Olympic Rowing Gold Medalist

Sponsored By The Hunterdon County YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
100 % Off All Proceeds Goes To The YMCA Scholarship Fund

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010 • 1:30-3:00 PM
Deer Path Branch of the Hunterdon County YMCA
144 W. Woodschurch Rd.
Flemington, NJ 08822

$10 Students
Tickets On Sale at the Deer Path and Round Valley Branches of the Hunterdon County YMCA. For more information, please call 908-236-7879 x 14.

About Jason Read:
Jason grew up in Ringoes, NJ. He was a member of the HCYMCA Stingrays and from there his love of being in the water grew. From swimming he turned to rowing as an eighth grader at The Hun School in Princeton which earned him a scholarship and spot on the rowing team at Temple University. He began volunteering at Amwell Valley Rescue Squad at age 14. He spent time washing trucks and fund-raising until age 16, when he was old enough to ride in an ambulance. At age 21, he became youngest chief of a fire or rescue unit in the state. After learning what had happened on Sept 11, 2001, Jason joined a task force of rescue units at Liberty State Park to set up staging area and field hospital along with other units. As rescuers struggled to determine jurisdictions in the face of such a massive disaster, Jason was appointed communications commander for all units inbound from New Jersey. From that nightmare Jason emerged with a stronger faith and will. On the starting line as the bowman of the US Olympic Men’s Eight, Jason and his team captured the gold at the Athens Games in 2004 – the first gold medal in Rowing in 40 years. Jason is currently training for the London 2012 Olympics.

Jason is the youngest member of the Hunterdon County YMCA Board of Trustees and is the Chair of the Teams/Community section of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.