By Kelsey Butler
G
ive your children have the best
summer ever at the Y! The YMCA
of Calhoun County has a packed
lineup for summer 2017.
Shane Ruffin, President and CEO of the
YMCA of Calhoun County, says theY wel-
comes approximately 125 campers per week
and 1,400 over the course of the summer.
“We raise $200,000 every year to make sure
that all kids, regardless of ability to pay full
price, are guaranteed a camp experience,”
says Ruffin.
According to the Y, day camps are centered
around discovery. “Kids have the oppor-
tunity to explore nature, find new talents,
try new activities, gain independence, and
make lasting friendships and memories.”
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Ruffin has been at the YMCA of Calhoun
County for almost three years, and he’s “been
with the Y [his] entire career, 17+ years.” He
has served the Y in Nashville, Los Angeles,
Cincinnati, Dallas and Savannah Georgia.
“I love helping people and strengthening
the community,” says Ruffin. “Whether it’s
caring for 400+ kids at our nine after school
academies across the county, helping an
active older adult regain mobility in water
aerobics, providing membership support to
families in need, offering 45 hours a week
of fitness classes, or teaching kids to swim
all the work we do comes back to our mis-
sion: to put Christian principles into practice
through programs that build healthy spirit,
mind and body for all.”
June 2017
INSIGHT