Corpening YMCA celebrates seventh anniversary

This week, the Maxwell M. Corpening Jr. Memorial YMCA will celebrate seven years of helping McDowell folks "build strong kids, strong families, strong communities."
In March 2003, the new YMCA opened its doors at 348 Grace Corpening Drive. It was the fulfillment of the late Max Corpening Sr.'s desire to give back to his hometown and provide a living memorial to his son, who was killed during World War II. For many, it was also the realization of a long-held dream. Since then, the local Y has grown and expanded its programs. It now has approximately 5,200 members.
Jed Rankin helped lead the original fund drive to build the Corpening YMCA. He is now president of the Corpening Memorial Center's board.
"I am very proud of the finished product," he said. "We have been able to do some very neat things since it opened."
For instance, the YMCA built the field house in August 2008 and installed a playground for smaller children.
"I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I go by and see those kids in the soccer field," said Rankin.
The field house was named in honor of Ray Buchanan, who came to Marion in 1975 as the new city executive for First Union Bank. That job made him one of the three trustees of the Corpening Foundation. When Buchanan retired from First Union, he became a member of the Corpening Center's board of directors and served as its president from the beginning. Buchanan was the "continuity" which led to the eventual building of the YMCA, said Judge Bob Hunter when the field house was dedicated.
On Wednesday, the Corpening YMCA will celebrate its seventh anniversary with an all-day celebration and open house. Both Rankin and Buchanan will be on hand at 10:30 a.m. to help blow out the candles on a big birthday cake. All day, the lobby will have display tables letting folks know about all the programs available through the local Y.
Executive Director Tim Blenco said the celebration also seeks to let more folks know about the Y and its programs. It also coincides with the Strong Kids Campaign, which helps make it possible for children, families, and individuals facing economic, medical and emotional hardships to participate in YMCA programs that might not otherwise be available to them.
"We're really trying to raise awareness of what we have got going on here," he said.
One of the new programs will be the first T-ball league. Soccer programs will be starting up this spring.
"We've got a full plate of special events," said Blenco.
On March 27, an Easter egg hunt will be held for youngsters. The Tour de Lure will take place on April 10. It is a bicycle race that will start at the Corpening Y and head all the way to Lake Lure.
April 17 will be Healthy Kids Day. This communitywide event will feature inflatables, food, healthy cooking presentations and other fun and educational activities. The McDowell County EMS will be on hand to do safety seat inspections, and early kindergarten registration will take place.
"It's going to be a huge day," said Blenco.
Other events will be announced as spring and summer near.
Another aspect of the Corpening YMCA is its partnership with The McDowell Hospital. Located in one section of the building, the McDowell Rehabilitation Department provides inpatient and outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to adults and children with disabilities, sports injuries and other problems due to illness, pain, injury and other physical conditions.
All of the department's clinicians are licensed by the N.C. State Board and have many years of experience in rehabilitation services. The staff also has access to the latest technology, continuing education and exercise regimes to provide patients with the highest level of rehabilitation care, said Dianne Sorensen, director of rehabilitation services.
It has its own gym, exercise equipment and aquatic pools. It also offers community wellness pool classes and massage therapy by a licensed therapist.
As the Corpening YMCA looks back on seven years of progress, its directors and staff are hoping more folks can participate in what it has to offer. Through financial assistance, the Corpening YMCA is available to everyone, regardless of income.
"The best is yet to come," said Blenco.
For more information, contact the Corpening YMCA at 659-9622. You can contact the McDowell Rehabilitation Department at 652-8300.