Meet Carrie Daniels, devoted volunteer and donor at YMCA Calgary. Since 2011, Carrie has chosen to support the YMCA for its ability to ignite the potential in others. Born and raised in Calgary, she completed her master's in public administration at the University of Victoria, where she then worked and lived for 20 years. Despite the distance, Carrie continued to provide philanthropic support to YMCA Calgary, as she sees both Calgary and its YMCA as her home.
The YMCA first found its place in her heart when her loved ones attended Camp Chief Hector YMCA as youth. There, they witnessed firsthand the YMCA's incredible ability to help shape young leaders. Carrie strongly believes their experiences at Camp were transformative and helped them blossom into the remarkable individuals that they are today.
Carrie's connection to the YMCA deepened when she returned to Calgary for her new role as National Senior Manager for Dentons and settled into her home branch at Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge. Now, she revels in the brilliance of fine arts shows in the BMO Theatre there, and spends cherished moments with her nieces, who have become part of the YMCA family through daycare and swimming lessons.
Carrie’s belief in community and philanthropy fuels her unwavering support and membership in the YMCA Heritage Club. At the annual Heritage Club dinner in October, Carrie was moved by the inspiring story of YMAP, a program supporting newcomers to Canada. "YMAP showcases the organizations commitment to making a real difference in people's lives, in countless ways.”
What makes the YMCA truly special for her is the immense impact it has on our city. She speaks fondly of the heartwarming newsletters and reports that share the work the YMCA is doing, but says it is in the day-to-day life of Calgary that the YMCA's impact shines through.
“Outside of the beautiful buildings, the YMCA is seen and talked about as a valued part of people’s lives” she says. “You even see it in advertisements when people are selling their homes – ‘close to the largest YMCA in the world!’"
One day, as she strolled the streets after work, Carrie overheard a conversation that touched her deeply. It was a conversation about the diverse programs offered by the YMCA and how they had transformed lives. In that moment, she stood on the sidelines, her heart swelling with pride. She knew that her donations had played a role in making those transformations possible.
Carrie's story is a testament to the YMCA's legacy in Calgary, one that keeps on giving, keeps on shining, and keeps on building a brighter future. To discover more about how you can join Carrie in helping ignite potential in others, please visit https://www.ymcacalgary.org/ways-give.