Southeast Area YMCA (Woodbury)

A letter to the community-at-large:

Hello. My name is Mary Buckett. I live in Woodbury and am a YMCA member. This year I’ve decided to take on the challenge of helping the YMCA better serve our community by joining in the Y-Partners Campaign. The YMCA works hard to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities by providing free and low-cost programming as well as membership assistance to our fellow residents in need. I personally want to make sure the YMCA can continue to do this for those in our community who need it most. That’s why I’m a Y-partner as well as a Y-member. I support the YMCA because I truly believe that they turn it around and support me back by generously giving back to the whole community.

If you look closely at the plaques on the wall of the Southeast YMCA lobby, you will find one with my daughter’s name, Natalie Tiedemann, on it. Natalie passed away at age 8 suddenly from an undiagnosed brain tumor. She was truly a Y-kid. Some of the best times of her short life were when she was involved in YMCA activities – Y-camp, Y-sports, Y-arts, swimming in the pool /sliding down the waterslide, dancing at a Dweebs concert in the parking lot, riding on the YMCA float at Woodbury Days and the Strawberry Festival in Cottage Grove. As Natalie did, I would like for every child to be able to experience the many benefits the YMCA has to offer. Last year, nearly $251,000 went out in scholarships to families who were truly in need.

Please consider making a donation to help fund the programming at the YMCA. I am hoping to find 50 people willing to donate at least $10 and I will match their donations in full this year.

Thanks for any help you can give!

With appreciation,

Mary Buckett