Share Your Y Story

If you come to the Y, volunteer with us, work at a branch or give to a campaign, we want to know what it means to you.

Submit Your Y Story

A tribute to a Very Special Friend

Remembering Raj Jain “When you think of the Merrimack Y, you think of Raj, like a spirit that moves through the Y” Jo-Anna (Shalom) Armandez-Lefeber shared this emotional tribute of her friend Raj, a long time Y member, who passed away this fall.  Anyone who came in contact with Raj Jain at the Y will… Read more »

My Y Story: Aaron Ruvinsky

AARON RUVINSKY IS 100: A Milestone Worth Celebrating In 1924 Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States, only 20% of Americans owned a car, Macy’s held their first Thanksgiving Day parade and the YMCA of Greater Nashua opened Camp Sargent (more on that later).  The average annual income was $2,196, a new house cost… Read more »

My Y Story: Matt Manning

MEET MATT Like many Y stories, Matt Manning’s began when he was a young child attending one of our swim programs.  As a youth he spent many of his summers part time at camp enjoying boating, nature, swim, outdoor games, archery and more.  Matt starting attending Camp Sargent full time the year he was entering… Read more »

My Y Story: Monica and Lynnette

Returning to the Classroom: How a Y Community Partnership Supports Staff Imagine having the courage to start over again, making yourself vulnerable in a setting that is primarily set up for those half your age. Imagine working a full time job and attending college courses after you’ve supported your own children through a similar journey…. Read more »

My Y Story: Bryant Lewis

MY Y STORY: BRYANT LEWIS The Road to Recovery: A Story of Resilience, Impact and Friendship Before 2021 Bryant Lewis was enjoying his life, having retired from many years working at Anheuser Busch he was a member of the Merrimack Y even before it was a YMCA, his membership going back to 1991.  His company… Read more »

My Y Story: Christina Hurley

MY Y STORY: CHRISTINA HURLEY  Unbroken Stride – A Story of Resilience and Gratitude Sometimes in life we meet people who we are simply amazed by, for no particular reason, but they just seem to be so together and have it all figured out.  Christina Hurley is one of these people, she holds a positive… Read more »

MY Y Story: Angel Demanche

MY Y STORY: ANGEL DEMANCHE And the Award Goes To – A Journey of Impact and Dedication “I have always loved children.  Ever since I was little, I have always said my mission in life is to impact the life of a child”.  And Angel Demanche has done just that, to many children, in her… Read more »

My Y Story: Karen LaBonte

My Y Story: How One Y Aqua Instructor Impacts Lives It was a bright morning at the Merrimack Y pool, hands were splashing, legs kicking, and lots of laughing and smiling, eyes were sparkling looking at their adoring instructor whom they admire.  You may think at first these words describe a preschool or youth swim… Read more »