By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – At its landmark 150th annual meeting, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts honored Jack Bergan of Shrewsbury, a member for over 30 years who volunteers as treasurer of its board of directors. He was asked to fill the treasurer position when it became vacant in 2010, noted Michael Strand, vice president of administration and CFO.
“We found the ideal candidate right in our membership,” Strand said of Bergan. “Jack had the technical skills and an intimate understanding of our organization – a definite win-win. While many could have steered our ship through calm waters, we were fortunate to have Jack at the helm when storm clouds appeared.”
Beginning in 1974, Bergan worked at Morgan Construction in Worcester and as its treasurer from 1982 until his retirement in 2011.
“I brought financial experience to the Y as a treasurer to augment the very skilled CFO Michael Strand,” he noted.
Bergan was presented the George I. Alden Award, the highest honor given annually to a member who has had a significant impact on the Y.
“I was honored to receive the award,” he said. “My work for the Y is very rewarding for me.”
When Bergan moved from Millbury to Shrewsbury in 1980, he joined the Greendale Family Branch YMCA in Worcester. Shortly after the Boroughs Family Branch YMCA opened in Westborough in 2002, he was asked to join its board of governors and became co-chair with Bob Maynard in 2006. At that time, the Boroughs Branch Y conducted a capital campaign.
“At our monthly meetings we tried to identify local companies wherein we could get an introduction and then a visit to make the possible donor aware of our goals for upgrading the facility,” he explained. “The main thing we wanted was a second swimming pool. The volume of people using the swimming pool is so high that a second one makes sense.”
When the campaign raised less than the amount needed for a second swimming pool, the funds went toward other improvements. The wellness center and studios were expanded for yoga, Zumba and other activities. Locker rooms were also upgraded.
“We raised enough money to do a lot of upgrades to the facility,” said Bergan, who continues staying active at the Y as a member.
“My family history suggests that I needed aerobic training, so I’ve been coming to the Y to exercise six days a week for 27 years,” he said. “The Y has a nice blend of all the equipment you need. There’s weight training and I do yoga now. Balance and flexibility are important at 67 years old. The variety helps keep me going every day.”
There are also factors that keep Bergan wanting to continue as a volunteer at the Y.
“It keeps me engaged and I feel like I’m contributory,” he noted. “It’s a joy to deal with a group that’s really well-organized, financially sound and doing good work.”
The YMCA of Central Massachusetts recently announced the public phase of its 150th Anniversary Capital Campaign, which will include initiatives totaling $12 million. To date, more than $5 million has been raised through board member and staff donations, as well as foundation and community gifts.
Projects being studied specifically for the Boroughs Branch Y include the possibility of an outdoor aquatic complex, expanded health and wellbeing gymnasium, and other facility enhancements.
Anyone interested in volunteering or making a tax-deductible donation to the capital campaign can contact Leah Larson at [email protected].
“I already wrote a check,” Bergan said with a good-natured laugh, adding, “Volunteering can get expensive for me.”
