Co-chairs of the Norwich Family YMCA's annual Open Door's Campaign JoAnn Mirabito and Kim Burrell. The Open Doors Campaign helps to fund scholarships for area residents that allow them to utilize the many programs and services offered by the YMCA. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — During the holiday season many people choose to support their community through a variety of programs, services, and giving opportunities: Angel Trees, Soup Kitchens, United Way, and of course our local YMCA, a charitable not for profit that has been serving the greater Norwich community for 160 years.

The YMCA is a diverse organization that relies on membership and program revenue to operate the facility and services offered within the community. Monetary gifts, donations, and bequests also support the YMCA operations and facilities while providing access to all through affordable services, membership subsidies, and program scholarships.

This year's annual support campaign is being coordinated by two local women, who are active participants at the North Broad Street facility. Active within the Fitness Department, their children grew up at the Y and now their grandchildren are too. They have been active volunteers and donors as well.

JoAnn Mirabito and Kim Burrell have been working together as they continue to promote the programs and the services the Y offers while educating the community that there is a significant need to support the YMCA as they continue to support everyone in our community.

The Open Doors Scholarship program provide the resources to provide access to the Y facility and for many to participate in the many programs the Y offers. This program is funded by the generosity and support of our community, and often times from many people who used to live in Norwich and remember their positive memories of growing up at the Norwich YMCA.

At this time, we want to tell JoAnn and Kim’s YMCA story:

The YMCA is a community that brings people together, and within this community there are so many stories to be told. We are honored to be the 2022-2023 Annual Campaign Chairs, and we wanted to share our YMCA story with you.

JoAnn Mirabito: 38 years ago, my family and I moved to Norwich with one young son and one on the way. Since we’d never had a YMCA where we grew up, the Y was a whole new pleasant experience for us.

We purchased a family membership and started to enjoy all the YMCA had to offer. Our boys enjoyed nursery school, learned how to swim, and played youth tee ball, basketball, and soccer.

As our boys grew, they both volunteered at the Y refereeing Saturday morning youth basketball games, which helped lead our youngest son to become a NCAA Division One basketball official because he enjoyed the experience so much.

My husband and our oldest son really enjoyed the men’s basketball corporate league and made many friends they still have today.

I have always enjoyed the fitness classes, especially after my good friend Kim talked me into trying her class. Now, 30 years later I am still taking classes. I was fortunate enough to spend nine years on the Y Board of Directors learning the inner workings of the Y and contributing to its future. The relationships I have built by participating at the Y will always be some of my fondest memories.

Kim Burrell: In 1987 my husband and I made the decision that I would stay home with our two young children. The YMCA became a large part of our everyday life. As for me, taking fitness classes, which I loved, led me to eventually become a fitness instructor, a role I still have to this day. Our children enjoyed the youth sports of soccer, tee-ball, and basketball. My husband, son, and daughter also all coached youth basketball.

One of the most important benefits of the YMCA was the lifelong friendships I formed. JoAnn and I have continued our YMCA and personal friendship for over 30 years. As my children have become adults, they have continued to be involved in Y programs. My son and his wife have had all three of their children participate at the Y in various youth programs. Our son has served on the board and is now the current Board President. Our daughter has two children who are also involved in numerous Y programs including Y summer camp.

Our entire family has enjoyed our memberships throughout the years and appreciate the Y’s constant community support.

As you can see, the YMCA has been an integral part of our lives and we hope with the funds raised through this campaign it will help others have the same experiences. We believe strongly in the Open Doors annual campaign scholarship fund and are happy to be co-chairs for the 2022-2023 fund drive.

Your donations will help many people in our community, especially our youth who will benefit from all the YMCA has to offer. Please consider a donation to the Open Door’s scholarship fund. Through everyone’s generous donations we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of many people in our community.

To support the Norwich YMCA Annual Support Campaign and to assist others in creating their YMCA story, will you consider a donation to support the work of the Norwich YMCA? An online giving link is attached, Venmo is an opportunity, the YMCA website at NorwichYMCA.org and also a direct sent to the YMCA. Any support is greatly appreciated and will directly impact others.

To donate, visit NorwichYMCA.com/OpenDoors, by using Venmo @NorwichYMCA, or by donating directly at the Norwich Family YMCA, located at 68-70 North Broad Street in Norwich.

-Information provided by the Norwich Family YMCA