Douglas Y. M. C. A.

Douglas Daily Dispatch, July 1, 1926 Page 14

Transcribed by Jean Walker, June 2024

Circa 1917 Postcard of Young Men's Christian Association Building in Douglas owned by Jean Walker

Y. M. C. A. DOES SPLENDID WORK IN THIS CITY

(By J. W. DEEMING)

Outside of the church the Y. M. C. A. is the greatest institution of its kind in the world. The Young Men's Christian association is built upon a Christian foundation. The kind of a foundation that every organization must build upon if it is going to exist for any length of time. The reason that so many organizations are founded and then soon die is because of the fact that they are not placed upon the basis of building boys and young men into Christian manhood.

The Y. M. C. A. was started as a Christian organization by Sir George Williams in London in the year 1844 in a small bedroom in the establishment in which he worked. The association has grown by leaps and bounds until in this country alone there are one million members. one could write page after page in reciting what the Y. M. C. A. has done in this country but people are mostly interested in what the Y. M. C. A. is doing in their own city and it is what this article is intended to do.

The local association was organized on November 7, 1908 with G. H. Dowell as the first president and H. G. Mustain vice president, E. E. Davis treasurer and A. C. Lockwood recording secretary. The other members of the board were A. F. Parsons, M. G. Tadlock and Otto Wyler. The first general secretary was Edwin Kettle who was a man of energy and ability. The present secretary Ralph M. Pederson whose influence is being felt in association circles in the state, is keeping up the work in this local branch which compares very favorably with any association in the west. It is to such men as these that the local association owes its present success and under whose guidance the Y. M. C. A. will grow and serve more effectively the boys and young men of this community.

It would be impossible to tell of the things that have been done by the Y. M. C. A. in the years that it has been active in this city, but it is possible to review what has been done during the last year. The activities during the last year are far in advance both in number and in numbers of participants than the previous year. This can be attributed to a larger staff and to the harmonious working together of that staff.

The greatest event of the year was the winning of the state championship individual by Barney Hart in a bowling tournament held at Bisbee in which men from all over the state were competing. Hart's closest opponent was Wittig of Bisbee. There were over two hundred men in the bowling leagues last year which goes to show that bowling in this city is very popular.

The Y gym circus was one event that is worthy of mention. Over 5 persons took part in the circus and it was said to be one of the finest shows that has ever been put on by the local association.

The boys camp which was held in the Pinery canyon is another of the outstanding events of the year. This was the first interstate Y. M. C. A. camp and there were about 60 all told at the camp, which was run as a standard Y camp.

The above events are of course interesting but what of the regular routine program in which the man and boy comes to the Y gym and takes part in the regular class work. The class work is scheduled in such a way that every participant derives great benefit both from a physical and recreational standpoint.

It is these activities that gives to the boy and man the health and strength that he comes to the association to get.

And of the socials which average about three a month and the Bible study classes and Sunday afternoon meetings. All these things are but a part of the activities that are put on by the local association.

It is the aim of the Y to help boys and men develop along the four square life which includes the physical, devotional, mental and social sides of life. With this object in view and with that great responsibility of such a large number of boys the officials of the Y. M. C. a. are doing their utmost to cater to all classes along the lines in which they are interested.

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