Coming up on the morning of Tuesday, February 21st the YMCA of Cleveland is hosting their 4th Annual “Y I Ride” fundraising campaign and this year Terra is getting to be a part! Our own Brittany Katz will be one of the riders helping raise money for our local YMCA.

We chatted with our friend Dina Dell at the YMCA to learn more about the fundraiser and what the YMCA has to offer our community.

Can you tell us a little bit about the Y I Ride Bike-a-thon? What is it and how did it come about?

Y I ride is an annual fundraising event for the YMCA. We have done it for 4 years or so, and we keep expanding it. We have increased to include 10 riders this year, and we are so excited! We used to refer to the event as Pedaling for Parkinson's, but we changed the name last year to better represent the all inclusive nature of the fundraising efforts. All of the YMCA programs benefit from the ride. It will be on Tuesday, February 21st from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Riders are already raising money. The real excitement comes during the event as we watch the numbers climb closer to the goal. Our hope is to raise at least $18,000 for this event!

Some people might wonder why it is important to support the YMCA... isn't the Y just another gym or sports club?

The YMCA is a community place where physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellness is prioritized. It is a place where our community can join together as our doors are open to all. We help families of all shapes and sizes. We have a very active senior population, and we love to see them attaining a better quality of life through fitness. We serve so many kids not only with before and after school care, but also with meals.

How does the Bike-a-thon specifically support the YMCA? Do the donations go to any specific programs at the Y?

We don't turn people away due to inability to pay. Scholarships for memberships, child care, Healthy Living programs like Rock Steady Boxing for people with Parkinson's disease and Livestrong at the YMCA for cancer survivors are available due to these fundraising efforts. Every single dollar that we raise will stay at the Cleveland Family YMCA.

I noticed that the Bike-a-thon flyer specifically mentions the Rock Steady Boxing class and the Livestrong at the Y -- can you tell us a bit more about those classes?

Rock Steady Boxing and Livestrong at the YMCA are both classes offered under our Healthy Living umbrella which includes programs that help with chronic disease management. Rock Steady Boxing is an ongoing class for people with Parkinson's. Livestrong at the YMCA is a 12 week program offered to adult cancer survivors. We are proud to offer it twice a year-in the spring and in the fall. In Cleveland, we also offer an afternoon and an evening class so that we can serve those survivors who are still working. Both of these classes focus on improving quality of life for these populations. Clearly fitness is the basis of both programs, but the community and fellowship that naturally occurs truly connects these people. It's amazing to watch and be a part of.

If someone wants to sign up for either of those classes how would they go about doing that? Are there specific registration periods? Do they cost?

Livestrong at the YMCA for cancer survivors is 100% supported by donations like the ones we earn during the Y I Ride campaign. Our cancer survivors pay absolutely nothing and the have a full memebrship to the Y for the 12 weeks of the program. Upon graduation, they are offered a steeply discounted rate to be come a Y member. Rock Steady Boxing is an ongoing program. There is a monthly fee of $60/month for Y Members or $85 for non-members. But again...no one is turned away for inability to pay! We have MANY boxers on scholarship that assists with these fees. Those scholarships come from this fundraiser!

How can people get involved in the Bike-a-thon?

On the day of the bike-a thon, you can call the YMCA (423)476-5573 or you can call Mix 104.1 who will be broadcasting live and make a pledge. Or, watch on Facebook for posts by your favorite rider, and click the link. There will be lots of texting and emailing links going on as we have a friendly competition to see which rider can raise the most money! We are actively taking pledges and donations right now! If you'd like to stop by the Y that morning, we'd love to have you come by and say HELLO!

Anything else you would like to share?

One of the best things about donating to my YMCA is that I literally can see and touch the people that are receiving benefit. It's not money that goes to some giant national non-profit that I can't see how my funds are used. People that I live near, work with, love and know are benefiting every day. I know personally that it is a wonderful investment of my money and time.

Tune in to Mix 104.1 the morning of February 21st from 7:30-9:30 to listen to the event live and pledge to the YMCA in support of the Terra team here or text YIRIDE10 to 71777! Readers can also learn more about the Rock Steady Boxing class and Dina’s involvement by listening in to our interview with Dina on the Terra Girls Podcast.