A Home Away From Home for Gift Family

When Brad Gift first got involved with the Kirkwood Family YMCA three decades ago, he had no idea that the Gateway Region YMCA would become such an integral part of his life.

"I wasn't good at fundraising then, but I had time and I was young," he explains.

In those early years, Brad could often be found teaching step aerobics or attending morning board meetings with his sons, Josh and Andrew, before taking them to preschool.

"They grew up at the Y," Brad says. From after-school care to summer camps to camp counselors, the Y was where Brad's boys learned leadership, empathy and respect.

Meanwhile, Brad served as board chair three times, chaired several annual campaigns and received the J. Clinton Hawkins award for his outstanding service.

As a longtime volunteer, Brad has seen the impact of Y programs. There's the man who learned to read through the literacy program, the "difficult" kindergartner who thrived at camp, the child with severe special needs who had somewhere to go each day—and Brad could go on.

To help ensure that these programs continue to thrive, Brad plans to make a legacy gift.

"The money is only a conduit," he says. "It's the people at the Y who make the real difference."

Brad's future gift reflects his belief in the Y's goals and values. These values have also inspired Josh's and Andrew's continued service to the organization. There's no question that Brad's young grandson, born in 2017, will make the Y his second home as well.

"I could talk forever about the Y and its impact," Brad notes. But, in short, he says "the Y makes a better community."

Create a Legacy of Impact

Join Brad in supporting the Gateway Region YMCA with a future gift. To learn more, contact Wendy Cornett-Marquitz, CFRE at wendy.cornett-marquitz@gwrymca.org or 314 436 1177 ext. 21640.