Meet those making a difference in our community!
YMCA of Northwest Florida
Bike Pensacola
The YMCA of Northwest Florida
The Y has been a leader in youth development, adult wellness and community support in the Florida Panhandle for 140 years. With a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, the programs supported are designed to nurture the full potential of children and teens by helping them strengthen muscles and more. Kids learn skills such as caring, confidence, honesty, respect and responsibility. The Y also believes exercise in the water benefits all ages and fitness levels.
Bike Pensacola
Known for their popular bike ride in town—the Slow Ride, Bike Pensacola is a coalition of bicyclists, bike clubs, bike shops, and other organizations working to improve conditions for bicycling in Pensacola. More than 400 riders bike the city streets for its monthly Slow Ride, building support for a more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly community.
Co-founder Christian Wagley is a strong advocate for restoring Pensacola’s urban core and making the City more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. Because most cyclists are “self taught,” each month they offer information about bicycle laws and safety tips that will help keep rides safe and enjoyable.
Co-founder Christian Wagley is a strong advocate for restoring Pensacola’s urban core and making the City more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. Because most cyclists are “self taught,” each month they offer information about bicycle laws and safety tips that will help keep rides safe and enjoyable.
Past Support
- Funded event cost and safety displays for first ever kid's Slow Ride and Bike Safety Rodeo, emphasizing the use of helmets while teaching kids how to stay safe on their bikes.
- Funding the creation of a series of short videos with local cyclists raising awareness of the need for local safety improvements, as well as helping spread the idea of bikes for transportation and how to ride safely from a commuters perspective.
- Purchased picnic tables & equipment to outfit YMCA’s Northeast's teen leadership program to be used for after school, summer and community use allowing for our local youth to have a positive safe space.
- Purchased and installed a permanent shade structure over the outdoor family pool at the Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA in Navarre, expanding our ability to offer swim lessons and camp and recreational swimming.
- Expanded youth recreational sports opportunities and increased safety at our Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA by purchasing six 40,000 lumen solar-powered lights and six poles to light the youth sports fields. This has had a meaningful impact in the program by ensuring a safe space for youth to enjoy sports and free play.
- Education and advocacy around traffic calming needed to reduce vehicle speeds, creating enhanced educational displays at Slow Rides and other events.
- Produced materials to help promote Safer Streets Pensacola project, including promoting a Vision Zero policy for the City Council and Mayor to endorse.
- Provided materials, supplies and curriculum to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) in the afterschool program.
- Partnered with 2 local churches to provide 20 students with scholarships to attend a winter camp trip or a student discipleship camp. These contributions help to shape the trajectory of the next generation.
- Partnered with Seville Quarter to provide full Thanksgiving meals to over 40 families that would not have otherwise been able to provide a meal for their family during the holiday season.