GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

At the Y, we believe that even the smallest act of kindness can blossom into a lasting connection to the community and create a true sense of belonging for everyone who enters our doors. For Morris Hospital YMCA member Merlyn Raber, supporting the Y became a heartfelt way to honor the memory of his late wife, Rebecca, who passed away in 2024.

After conversations with his good friends and fellow Y members Jim and Ann Wright, Merlyn chose to make a generous contribution to the Morris YMCA Capital Campaign in memory of Rebecca. Like many others, he got his first look at the new facility during last December’s Legacy Night celebration.

“At the time, the Y was ‘an unknown’ to me. Then I came to the open house with Jim and Ann. Several people that I knew were there, and I was so proud to be a part of it. Knowing my wife’s name will be here for generations to come has given me a special tie to the Y,” he said.

Becoming an active member of the Y was not in Merlyn’s original plans. But, following a round of wellness testing in the spring, his doctor recommended he get more exercise. Merlyn knew exactly where he could go to find the support he needed to begin exercising more often.

“The first thought was to go to the Y,” he said.

After some initial trepidation, Merlyn found the Y to be the perfect place to build a healthy lifestyle.

“When I first walked in and saw all the machines in the wellness center, I had no idea what any of them did. But I watched other people work out and I kind of learned from observation. A couple times I would ask someone to show me how to use a machine and they were happy to help out. After several weeks of doing that, and getting comfortable with my routine, it dawned on me that if I kept going to the Y I could get the strength to waterski.”

Merlyn and his family used to waterski regularly, but he hadn’t taken part in the activity for more than 30 years.

“Three years ago, I tried to get up on waterskis and I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have enough body strength to pull myself out of the water,” Merlyn said. “This September, after exercising at the Y, I was successful. The first time I tried, I was standing up on those skis. It was the most exhilarating thing.”

Merlyn said the benefits of the experience went beyond being in the water again. 

“The biggest reward I got was talking to my son who lives in Minneapolis. I had a video of me waterskiing and I sent it to him. He told me he went to work the next day and was talking to all the guys he worked with about what his dad had done. He said ‘I knew if anyone could do it, you could do it.’ That compliment, coming from my son, it felt like he was 10 years old again telling everyone ‘My dad is the greatest dad in the world.’ I had that same feeling.”

Merlyn is also grateful for the positive feedback he experiences every time he visits the Y. 

“To me, it’s a home away from home. I feel so comfortable being here. When I finish my workout, I go to the gym and walk for 15 minutes. Then, before I leave, I sit in the lobby and wind down enjoying the environment. I’m just so proud to have the Y in the community. Not only for me, but for everyone. I tell people how beautiful it is here and how everything is first class. We have something here in our community that a lot of communities don’t have.”

And, as he looks toward the future, Merlyn has a clear goal in mind.

“I’m 80 years old and you know the old adage that you’re only as old as you feel, well I feel 10 years younger thanks to the Y. But my mission is not completed yet. I’m going to continue to work out and improve on what I’ve developed. Next year, I’ll turn 81 years old and, God willing, I want to waterski with my family.”

We are so proud to have Merlyn in our Y community and wish him well on his continued health and wellness journey.

If you are interested in joining the Y, now is the perfect time! Our Thankful for You Membership Sale is underway and runs November 13! Learn more and join online by clicking here.