The Burbank YMCA announced this week that it would celebrate 100 years of fostering community by partnering with Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and the Burbank Unified School District to provide youth mental health and education programs.
In total, the Y has more than a dozen programs along with the fitness center that serves approximately 12,000 people in Burbank annually.
“One hundred years old never looked so good,” said Ava Alexander, chief development officer for the Y. “We can’t believe it! The Burbank Community YMCA is getting ready to celebrate 100 years of collaboration, service, and community in 2024. Young or old, if you have lived or worked in Burbank for a few years, chances are you have a connection to the Burbank Community YMCA.
“Maybe you learned to swim at the Y or your father built lifelong bonds in Indian Guides. Perhaps your kid hangs out in the Social Impact Center or plays on Showcase Basketball, or you discovered yoga with friends in group exercise. Whatever you or your families need — we have something for you,” she added.
Alexander also announced that, due to the growing cost of security and other logistics, the Y would be cancelling its annual Turkey trot, indefinitely.
“As we usher in our next century, we say goodbye to one of our signature events — the Turkey Trot,” Alexander said. “Over the years, tens of thousands of Burbank residents and friends from neighboring cities have joined us on Thanksgiving morning to run in our 5K and 10K Turkey Trot.”
Though the longtime Thanksgiving staple will be absent this holiday season, the Y plans to introduce a new event that will raise the festive spirit and become a community mainstay.
“The friends we made and the fun we had with Turkey Trot will always be fondly remembered, but in recent years the high cost of security and other core components of the Turkey Trot have made it impossible to continue with this Thanksgiving tradition,” Alexander said. “Rest assured that the Y is planning a new event for our 100th birthday that we think will quickly become a must go-to event and community favorite. As we move forward, we look forward to serving Burbank for the next 100 years.”
First published in the September 9 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
