When asked about what the YMCA means to her, Bonnie Clements says, "The Y is very welcoming. It is for everyone...all ages, all abilities. Three words I think of are friendly, community, and encouraging." If anyone would know this to be true, it would be her; Bonnie has belonged to the Frankfort YMCA for an incredible 40 years! A YMCA employee since 1984, Bonnie has been an integral part of the Y family, teaching group fitness and maintaining her own health in classes, playing racquetball, volleyball, lifting weights - and even taking belly dancing classes! For about twenty years, she served as fitness coordinator and she has volunteered on many annual fundraising campaigns to help raise money for the YMCA.
After many years, Bonnie reflects that even with the wide and numerous experiences she has had, it all comes back to the people. "My best friends and people who I genuinely care about are those I met at the Y over the decades", she shares. "The support, love and caring for one another is something hard to find anywhere else. The Y is my family, and I cannot imagine living in Frankfort without the Y and the people there. I look forward to seeing people in classes, in the weight room, going to our socials and lunches."
The camaraderie and relationships extend beyond exercise routines and fitness: Bonnie has felt first-hand the support and friendship that the Y offers. "Last May I had a knee replacement. Working out to get my strength back in the weight room, members would come up and congratulate me for being there and how well I was doing. Then in September I found out I had Ovarian Cancer. After surgery and chemotherapy, the calls, emails cards, texts, letters, food, gifts were overwhelming. I could not get over all the support and love that was given. There is NO other place that would have such great members and staff who would do this."
Outside of her time at the Y, Bonnie stays active in other ways. "I love spending time with my husband and family. We have two children and four grandchildren. In the winter, I have been teaching snow-skiing for 32 years, mostly at Perfect North Slopes. I volunteer at The Grand Theatre and for the Horsey Hundred Bike Ride and running races, such as the YMCA Black Cat Chase 5K. I read a lot and take other classes to help myself expand my knowledge in teaching my classes. I sometimes travel out of state to take fitness and yoga workshops."
We are so grateful for Bonnie's servant heart and how she welcomes all so warmly and openly to our Frankfort YMCA community. We celebrate her first forty years with us and look forward to many more!
We love celebrating our staff - if you know someone who deserves a shout out or spotlight, let us know! Email us at marketing@ymcacky.org.
