Y Heroes: Andy Bailey, James L. Camp, Jr. Family YMCA

Linwood A. Bailey "Andy", a local firefighter and his then girlfriend, Alnee joined the Y in July 2013. Becoming part of our Y family came soon after she was diagnosed with cancer. Her doctor encouraged her to join a fitness center in order to stay active. Soon after, Andy and Alnee were married. For a few months, the Baileys were regulars at the Y. And when she couldn't come in any longer, she encouraged Andy to still visit because her wish for him was that he would be healthy. Andy continued to workout and lost over 100 lbs.

Around December 2013, Alnee ultimately lost her battle with cancer; this devastated him. Although Andy continued to workout, he encountered ups and downs yet the Y was always a constant. He approached Christie White, our Wellness Director and told her he wanted and needed to be more involved with the Y. Christie talked with him about joining the Y family and he has since been employed as a coach, and most recently, with his firefighter background, has also started instructing staff in CPR, First Aid and AED. 

Andy is a walking billboard of what they Y can do in someone’s life. There is no telling what may have happened to Andy had he not found support in our Y community.

As a part of our 2017 Annual Giving Campaign, we are showcasing a different person (or family) at each of our family centers. We are calling this our Y Heroes project. This video platform is a way for us to highlight people and/or program areas that have been positively impacted by the dollars we raise as a non-profit organization and relate back to each community our Association serves.

When you give to the Y, you continue to strengthen our community and move us all forward. As the nation’s leading nonprofit for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y uses your gift to make a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own neighborhood. Your gift ensures that the Y’s programs and services will be open to all. Consider making a gift today. www.ymcashr.org/GIVE

For more information about how you can help, contact Annie Vogt at (757) 962-5519.