Volume 2, Issue 8

17 August 2007

Compiled & Edited by:

Leslie Gray

Serving 5,000 active-duty junior-enlisted

military service members and their families
each month with over 40 free programs!

Welcome!
This month we feature our YES Program, a
four week session of recreational and
educational field trips offered to local military
children. Additionally we turn the spotlight on
our Military Programs Assistant, Gaurav Patel,
and the Warrior Foundation’s support at Naval
Medical Center. Youth & Community Program Director,
Virginia Ruehrwein, and YES Program
participants relax after a long day at
YES - Sea World Trip 07.24.07 Sea World.

On July 24, local military children, as part of the

ASYMCA’s YES Program ventured to Sea World.
Activities included a visit to the tide pool, the
Penguin
Encounter,
Wild Arctic to
see beluga
whales and
polar bears,
and a picnic
lunch while
watching the
new Shamu
show, Alive.
 Page 2
The Warrior Foundation & Naval Medical Center
"I'll never forget what the Warrior Foundation did for
me and my family" said SK1 Curtis Smalls (in photo at
left). SK1 Smalls is merely one of hundreds of service
members who have been assisted by the Warrior
Foundation. For over 3 years, Sandy Lehmkuhler and
Rick Roberts have rallied the San Diego community,
both individuals and businesses, to help combat
wounded sailors, marines, soldiers, and airmen in
many big and little ways. In addition to providing the
ASYMCA with over $200,000 for the purpose of uniting
warriors with their families during their long
rehabilitation, Sandy has worked to provided furniture,
hand cycles, electric scooters, palm pilots, razors, and
a new 2006 bus for transportation needs along with
other useful items Much appreciation goes out to all
involved - Sandy Lehmkuhler and Rick Roberts as the driving forces; the San Diego Navy League as the fiscal
agent; and assistance from dedicated volunteers such as Jim Bedinger. These great accolades further extend
to the members of the San Diego community who have generously given both time and money in support of
our efforts. Their gifts continue to make a significant difference in the lives of our wounded warriors and
their families - many will never forget.

Gaurav Patel - Military Program Assistant Extraordinaire!

Military Program Assistant Gaurav Patel, also an Aviation Structural Mechanic Second
Class with the U.S. Navy, has been selected to be the Navy’s recipient of the American
Legion Spirit of Service Award. The award honors one member from each branch of the
Armed Services who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism. Gaurav joined the Navy in
2000 and started volunteering with the ASY in 2004 - since then, he has volunteered over
500 hours to various community organizations partnering with the ASY. Gaurav is
primarily involved with the ASY’s Military Volunteer Program and enjoys volunteering with
agencies who help disadvantaged children such as the Polinsky Children’s Center or
tutoring at the Malcolm X Library. In addition to working full time as an AM2, and
volunteering part time with the ASY, Gaurav earned his Bachelor’s degree in Professional
Aerodynamics in October 2006 and is presently working on dual Master’s degrees. For his
outstanding service to both his country and the local San Diego community, we would like
to thank Gaurav for his unyielding dedication. Gaurav will accept his award during the
American Legion’s national conference in Reno, Nevada at the end of the month.

Military Programs - 4th of July @ ASW

Military volunteers
help entertain local
military families prior
to fireworks on the
4th of July at the
Anti-Submarine
Warfare Base.

YES - Wild Animal Park Trip 07.31.07
Thank you for your
support...
Raytheon Program Achievement Award
PepsiCo Healthy Living
NOSC
CSA - San Diego City Schools
Sundt Foundation
Page 3
August
24th - KUSI Shopping Spree
28th - Computers 2 SD Kids Giveaway
September
9th - Ronald Reagan Golf Gala
10th - Ronald Reagan Golf Classic
14th - All Decked Out Fashion Show @ YachtFest
22nd-29th - America on the Move Week
25th - Family Finance Seminar
27th - Computers 2 SD Kids Giveaway
28th - Operation Liberty Call
28th - Ombudsman/Key Volunteer Luncheon
From the Desk of Executive Director Paul Steffens:
July was an exciting month as we had the opportunity to kick-off our revised “YES” Program and share
several exciting San Diego venues with children of military families. Although the staff accompanying the
children returned a bit tired, they thoroughly enjoyed each outing and being able to bring exciting times to
these children. One participant on the trip to Sea World was thrilled that he was able to make his first trip to
the park. San Diego has so much to offer families and we are happy to provide this program. You can easily
see the true value of the “YES” program in the smiles of all the children.

Additionally, we were pleased to welcome Captain Mike Landers, USN (Ret.), the Deputy Executive Director of
the Armed Services YMCA of the USA to our San Diego branch. During Mike’s visit we were able to show him
our new office at Naval Station San Diego and update him on our programs and our plans for future
expansion. Thanks to Mike’s assistance we will soon be receiving two new mini-buses that will further help
us expand programs and serve even more military families.

Over the past several weeks, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with many of our wounded warriors. I
am continually impressed and amazed by the confident positive attitude of these warriors who have endured
so much – including family separations, challenging combat situations, and life threatening and life changing
wounds. They meet the challenges and look forward to the next steps in their lives. We will continue to
explore every opportunity to help these warriors and their families.

It is impossible to list all the individuals, companies, and agencies who contribute to our mission. They are
many and they are all so appreciated. Working together we can make many positive differences in the
lives of military families.

Keep chargin! Paul

For more information on how YOU

can make a difference…

info@asymcasd.org
858.751.5755
www.militaryymca.org