Somerset Hills YMCA Holds Dedication Ceremony For New Swim Team Scoreboard

A dedication ceremony took place, Monday November 16th, of a scoreboard above the Chandor lap pool at the Somerset Hills YMCA. The scoreboard, donated by Mr.& Mrs. Steve Riggio, is a gift in memory of their daughter Melissa who, born with Down Syndrome, was an active member of the Bernards High School Swim Team from 2003 to 2007. The Swim Team practices and holds meets at the YMCA. Melissa always referred to her time and friendships at the Somerset Hills YMCA as amongst her most precious.
From left, Laura Riggio, Bernards High School Swim Team Coach, Ed Tsuzuki, and Steve Riggio.

Back By Popular Demand, the Somerset Hills YMCA Offers Homework Help
To Children in the Community.

Beginning October 14th, the Somerset Hills YMCA will be offering Students-Helping-Students Tutoring (SHST), a free tutoring program, every Wednesday night from 6:30 – 8:30pm. The program will take place in the Gagnon Teen and Community Center located at their main facility, 140 Mount Airy Rd, Basking Ridge. School age children in grades 3 – 12 in need of academic help are all welcome to attend, members and non members alike, and find support and tutoring from excelling high school volunteer students. Pre-registration is not needed and students may drop in at any time during the tutoring session; many stay for the full two hours to catch up on homework and have support at hand when needed.

Emily Pakrul, a senior, and Sam Rosin, a junior, are two Bernardsville High School students who participated in the program last year and are returning again this year. Emily and Sam are two of approximately thirty high school students who have signed up this year to volunteer their time and skills to help others.

Sam remembers one young boy in particular who came every week and was extremely excited and proud of himself when he mastered certain mathematical skills. “When he got something right, he would get very excited and throw his hands up in the air in triumph; it was great. Parents loved the program as it’s often difficult to tutor your own child. They would drop them off and sometimes fit in a workout upstairs knowing their kids were in good hands,” said Sam.

Emily comments, “I hope to one day become an elementary school teacher so, naturally, this is something that I really enjoy. Last year was very fulfilling for me; for instance, twins came regularly for help and, where one of them was shining academically, the other was struggling and somewhat unhappy. To be able to provide one-on-one help to the latter really helped turn things around. They both used to really look forward to coming in and seeing us. I hope they return to the program this year.”

For more information about SHST, please contact Susan at skamins@somersethillsymca.org or call 908.766.7898 ext.1590.

YMCA Night with the NJ Devils


The Somerset Hills YMCA presents Y Night with the NJ Devils on Saturday, December 12th, at 7:00pm at the Prudential Center, otherwise known as ‘The Rock’, in Newark NJ. With every seat affording a terrific view of the action as the NJ Devils take on the Philadelphia Flyers, Y Night with the NJ Devils is a great way for families to enjoy a night out and give back to a great cause.

A portion of the proceeds from this special game benefit the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, a financial assistance program that provides funding to ensure that the Y can assist those in need by sending children to summer camp, providing childcare services, offering reduced memberships, and supporting community outreach programs.

Tickets, available for only $45 each, (a $21 savings) must be purchased through the Somerset Hills YMCA in order to directly benefit Strong Kids.

Ticket order forms are available online at http://www.somersethillsymca.org/, or at the main branch of the Somerset Hills YMCA at 140 Mount Airy Road, and at the Riverwalk branch at 665 Martinsville Road. For additional information, please contact Nancy Auerbacher on (908) 766 7898 ext. 1350 or at nauerbacher@somersethillsymca.org.

The Somerset Hills YMCA Introduces New Swim Program For Adults with Muscular Impairment.
Individualized Program Is Offered Free to Members of the Community.

One of many new programs offered this fall by the Somerset Hills YMCA is SWIM, Inc., or Specialized Water Interest Movement. The program provides muscularly impaired adults the opportunity to exercise who would otherwise find it difficult or impossible to exercise on land. An orientation meeting, prior to the first class, will take place on Monday, September 14th at 11am; participants are encouraged to meet in the lobby at the Welcome Center at 140 Mt. Airy Rd, Basking Ridge. The program will meet every Monday between 12pm – 2pm, with the first hour spent in the pool followed by a social hour in a meeting room.

Inspired by the YMCA’s mission of serving all individuals regardless of their ability to pay, this weekly class will be free of charge to all members of the community, members and potential members alike. Last year, more than $317,000 was raised through the Strong Kids Campaign and other sources, which helped the Somerset Hills YMCA provide more than $620,000 in financial assistance and program subsidies for individuals and families who need it most.

SWIM, Inc., is an organization that has existed since 1975 to provide self directed water exercise to adults who have suffered from polio, stroke, cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, heart attack, Multiple Sclerosis, forms of arthritis, mood disorders, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, trauma, surgery, arthritis or other causes. Paul Kiell, a longtime Somerset Hills YMCA member, nationally ranked Masters Swimmer, and volunteer coordinator of the program said, “Physical fitness can be acquired in the pool even by non swimmers. Everybody wears a flotation belt and exercise is tailored to each participant’s needs. While not a substitute for treatment, it is certainly an adjunct to an individual’s therapy. As a psychiatrist, I firmly believe there is a direct correlation between aerobic fitness and absence of mood disorders.” Individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Paul on 908.781.1703.

To learn more about SWIM, Inc., please contact Kim Wilde on kwilde@somersethillsymca.org or 908.766.7898 ext. 1582. To donate or learn more about the Strong Kids financial assistance program, please contact Kelly on kcastro@somersethillsymca.org or 908.766.7898 ext.1100