The YMCA of Long Island (YMCA-LI) is ready to welcome the spirit of the Summer Olympics, which are set to kickoff this August in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. 
The YMCA-LI announced beginning Thursday, July 21 and running through Sunday, August 21, 2016, all local branches will participate in an island-wide Road to the Olympics. The campaign will celebrate the multiple sports and activities offered at the Y in the tradition of the Olympic Games.
Additionally, the campaign will celebrate the spirit of building local athletes of all ages, levels and abilities at YMCA-LI facilities, from improving skills and coordination to developing positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork. The month-long event invites YMCA members to share their fitness milestones and achievements with @ymcali “#YLIolymPICS” on social media.
“Our island-wide YMCA community encompasses a wide range of athletes, all of whom are winners in their own way! Whether they celebrate running a half-mile further or try a new group exercise class, these are moments they should challenge and celebrate successes,” said Anne Brigis, President and CEO of the YMCA of Long Island. “Through this campaign, we want to encourage all of our members to share their milestones with us so we can share in the joy of health and wellness.”
In hopes of encouraging Y members to reach and share their fitness goals, the month-long event will culminate with a special raffle opportunity. Members share their winning reflections and activity successes for the day on an Olympic Challenge Card and drop it in a basket at their local Y for a chance to win a “Go for the Gold” Gift Basket including 1 Men’s and 1 Women’s fitbit chargeHR, a $100 Modell’s Gift Card, 3 one-hour personal training sessions, and more. Participants will also have the chance to take a photo with an oversize Olympic torch designed with the YMCA-LI logo.
“During the summer months, we also have a lot of campers at our branches. We want to inspire these children and young teens that they can work towards one day becoming an Olympic athlete by using the resources offered right here at their local Y,” added Brigis.
A selfie photo station will be set-up in the lobby of five branch locations, including East Hampton, Glen Cove, Bay Shore, Huntington and Patchogue, to document victories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The photo posts are intended as a medium for neighborhood athletes of all ages and fitness levels to share their motivation and celebrate personal victories. The Y wants to empower everyone to share the development of better lifestyle habits – big or small.
Select posts will be available to the public through www.ymcali.org/olymPICS. One participant will be selected at random to win the grand prize of the “Go for the Gold” Gift Basket on August 30, 2016.
