Lighting the Way for the YMCA

Marilyn Lunnemann's relationship with the YMCA began with one wish—after moving to St. Louis in 1975, she wanted to find a place to swim laps.

"I wasn't a great swimmer, but everyone at the pool was encouraging and fun, so I kept going back," she says.

So, after Marilyn and her husband, Ron, moved to their first home in 1978, Marilyn knew just where to go: her local Y, then the Carondelet YMCA. She and Ron raised their four children there, bringing them to every class, outing and summer camp imaginable.

"I was drawn to the Y because of its impact," she says. "It doesn't matter your age, where you come from, your background—you're all Y members."

Marilyn deepened her relationship with the YMCA by using her CPA skills to organize financial matters for the facility. An invitation to join the board launched an almost 30-year term of service between the branch board of advisors and the association board of directors. She also left her mark as the first female chair on the Carondelet YMCA Board and the Metro Board. The mission of the Y reflected her passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

One year, Marilyn gave the invocation at the annual Lamplighter dinner. She met Lamplighters, listened to how passionate they were and realized a planned gift was the next step in her relationship with the YMCA.

The Lunnemanns included a gift for the YMCA in their will, ensuring that the organization will thrive long into the future.

"We can't make anything else happen when we're gone, but if we can sustain an organization that meets the needs of its community and makes it stronger—wow!" she exclaims. "What a legacy to leave behind."

Be an Inspiration in Your Community

Like the Lunnemanns, you can make an impact in your community by including a future gift to the Gateway Region YMCA in your estate plan. Contact Wendy Cornett-Marquitz, CFRE, at 314 436 1177 ext. 21640, or wendy.cornett-marquitz@gwrymca.org to learn more about your giving options.