YMCA OF GRAND ISLAND

Keeping Our Promise

This Go Big GIVE, we are raising funds to support our new initiative, Keeping Our Promise. Our goal is to provide one student from each school in Grand Island (excluding high schools), totaling approximately 24 students, with a FREE one-year YMCA membership. This free one-year membership will give them access to programs and a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Sponsorship levels that coincide with your donation:

$150 to support ONE student

$300 to support TWO students

$500 to support FIVE students

$1,000 to support TEN students

This initiative serves as a powerful way for the YMCA to invest in the future of our youth. If you are interested in a specific school or would like to present the winner with the YMCA, we can make that happen. Please let Chad know if you have questions or comments (please see contact info below).

Our Go Big GIVE goal reflects Keeping Our Promise and our annual campaign. Too see details about our annual campaign, click here to learn more.

About the Y

At the YMCA, we put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

A part of Grand Island since 1885, the YMCA is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for the children and adults it serves. Positive programs that focus on the total person, programs that enhance self-confidence, develop real values and encourage people to seek a healthier lifestyle form the basis of the Y philosophy. The YMCA is a worldwide fellowship dedicated to the enrichment of life and the development of a sense of dignity and self-worth in all people.

Testimonials

"I'm very thankful that our community has an organization built on sound Christian principles that serves people of all ages, ability levels, and backgrounds. We are proud to be a part of the YMCA in the Grand Island community." - Joanna

"I signed my daughter up for Summer Fun Club at the Y. She had a fear of water. The kids who qualify for free & reduced school lunches are given free lessons. I am very grateful she was able to overcome her fear and I credit it to her time at the Y Fun Club!" - Nyobi

"In 2016, our family went through one of the hardest seasons of our lives as we struggled with addiction. It was a time filled with uncertainty, pain, and a lot of rebuilding. When we made the decision to get clean, we knew we needed a fresh start—something stable, positive, and rooted in community. Not long after, we moved into our own home just a couple blocks from the YMCA. That proximity ended up meaning more than we ever could have expected. As Cody started working, we were able to get a membership at a reduced rate, which allowed us to begin focusing on our health—something we hadn’t prioritized in a long time. But what started as just a gym membership quickly turned into something much bigger for our family. The YMCA became a safe and consistent place for us. We were able to bring our kids with us, not only to stay active, but to start teaching them healthy habits—both physically and emotionally. It gave us a way to show them that there are positive ways to cope with stress, to build confidence, and to grow stronger together as a family. In those early days of recovery, structure and support were everything. The YMCA gave us both. 

It helped us fill our time with purpose, surrounded us with positive influences, and gave us a sense of belonging when we needed it most. As we started to get our lives back on track over the next few  months, we reached a point where we were no longer just receiving help—we were able to give back. We began paying our full membership dues, and eventually, we stepped into coaching. That shift—from  needing support to becoming a source of encouragement for others—was a huge milestone for us. One of the most meaningful parts of our journey has been watching our kids grow through this  experience. Our oldest son not only stayed involved but thrived. Today, he works for the YMCA and is competing in strongman competitions—something that all started within those walls. Seeing his confidence, discipline, and passion develop has been one of the greatest blessings as parents. The YMCA didn’t just help us get physically healthier—it helped restore our family. It gave us a place to rebuild trust, create routines, and grow stronger together in every sense of the word. We’re incredibly grateful for what the YMCA has meant to our lives. It wasn’t just a place we went—it became part of our story, and a foundation for the life we’ve built today." - Ashley & Cody Davis