Orrville YMCA Named WorthyWorks Recipient

Orrville, Ohio:  The Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce (OACC), in partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF), announces that the Orrville YMCA will be recognized as the Chamber’s 2013 recipient of the WorthyWorks Award at the annual Chamber Dinner on April 2 at The University of Akron: Wayne College in Orrville.

The award recognizes the contributions nonprofit Chamber members make to their community. Qualifying criteria is a commitment to the quality of life, social conscience and betterment of the Orrville community and includes a $1,000 contribution from the WCCF to support the continuing efforts of the organization.

Having recently celebrated their 40^th anniversary, the Orrville YMCA has continued to grow and provide programs to meet the evolving needs of the community. This past year they expanded their facility to include a childcare wing and karate studio while also enlarging the fitness center.

“After completing a survey of community needs, we created a safe, fun and educational environment to serve infants, toddlers and preschool kids, while also adding both before and after school programs,” stated Mistie Ankenman, Associate Executive Director of the Orrville YMCA. In fact, the preschool class and childcare addition has been Step Up to Quality certified, a State initiative that recognizes early care and education programs that exceed quality benchmarks over and above Ohio's licensing standards.

“The YMCA was selected for its consistent and positive impact on our city,” said Jennifer J. Reusser, OACC President.  “For forty years they have not only provided a wide range of health, fitness and wellness services, but they have steadily and successfully grown into a 60,000 square foot facility.” 

The Orrville YMCA joins previous OACC WorthyWorks Award recipients Your Human Resource Center, Viola Startzman Free Clinic, Quota International of Orrville, The Railroad Heritage Society and OrrViews Community Newspaper.

WCCF also partners with the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) to recognize nonprofit organizations. Past recipients of the WACC WorthyWorks Award include Every Woman’s House, Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties, and Quota International of Wooster.

Since 1978, the Wayne County Community Foundation has been working to strengthen the community we all share. It is a nonprofit charitable community organization. Since inception, WCCF has awarded over $53 million in grants and scholarships back into the community.