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YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest to Race Through Tybee Island February 3 and 4

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Summer Bozeman

Friday is the Taste, and Saturday is the Test!

The YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest, a favorite event among locals and visitors alike, continues the long-standing tradition of the Tybee marathon February 3 and 4! This is the second year the race is hosted by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia whose youth-centered programming is the beneficiary of weekend proceeds. The event will retain its format, where “Friday is the taste and Saturday is the test,” consisting of five races, for which runners can register in any combination they like; running all five events adds up to a 26.2-mile full marathon distance.

This year the Y is making an extra effort toward keeping Tybee clean by partnering with Hiccup Earth to utilize sterile, reusable cups to replace plastic water cups at aid stations along the course route. The Y is also working with longstanding partner Savannah Distributing to cut down on plastic waste by providing racers with their traditional post-race beer in cans, which are more easily recyclable than plastic cups. Additional recycling bins will be available around the race site, provided by Curbie Sanitation.

“The Y is really excited to be reducing the environmental impact the race has on the island. The Critz Tybee Run Fest is a landmark event in the community and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue to host it,” says Joel Smoker, CEO of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. “We’re so grateful to Dale Critz, Jr. and Critz Auto for continuing their association with the race as presenting sponsor.” With the YMCA of Coastal Georgia as the beneficiary, all proceeds from the weekend will go to youth-focused programs including before- and after-school care, youth sports leagues, out-of-school-time enrichment and day camps for when schools are closed but parents need to work. All funds will also stay local.

Race weekend begins with The Bernie’s Oyster House 5K at 6 p.m. Friday night followed by The Collins Quarter 10K at 7 a.m. Saturday morning, the Chu’s Mart Half-Marathon at 8:30 a.m. and the noon Lighthouse Pizza 2.8-Mile Beach Run, wrapping up with the West Construction Company One-Mile Run at 1 p.m., which will complete the weekend marathon. Friday night will also host a Kiddie Run starting at 5:30 p.m. This year, packet pick-up will take place at the race site beginning Friday at 2 p.m. and continue throughout the weekend.

Registration is open at CritzTybeeRun.com! A special Savannah Magazine Saturday VIP Experience is available as an add-on to race registration. Details are available at the race website.

For race information, visit CritzTybeeRun.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Shannon Horst, race director, at [email protected] for information on becoming a race sponsor! If you would like to sign up to volunteer at the race, or contact Laura Schmarkey, outreach program director at [email protected].

Out With the Old (Habits) and In With the New (Habits)

Posted on January 1, 2023 Updated on January 11, 2023 by Joseph Prado

You don't need a new you for the new year, you just need some new, healthy habits!

The start of the new year is a great time to take a look at all of your current habits. Are there any habits you currently have that can be tweaked, even just a little bit, in order to turn them into healthy habits? We’re happy to share at least four healthy habits you can begin today to make sure your 2023 is off to a great start!

Stop hitting snooze. Snooze, sleep, repeat. Studies have shown that the fight against getting out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off actually has a negative effect on your health. Instead of reaching for that snooze button, let’s make it a habit to get up and get a productive start to your day.

Y Tip: Try placing your phone or alarm clock on the other side of the room before you go to bed at night. You will physically have to get out of bed to turn off your alarm, meaning you are already in an upright position once you turn that pesky alarm off. Plus, putting a pause on snooze gives you more time to enjoy a longer morning routine, which could consist of healthy habits like exercise or mindfulness activities. This could even make extra time for an early morning sweat session at the Y!

Skip the sugar. We get it – that caffeinated soft drink or large sugar-filled latte sure sounds like a good pick me up when the mid-afternoon slump rolls around. However, cutting out these sweet treats and replacing them with water can do wonders for your daily sugar and calorie intake. When this happens, you lower your changes of weight gain and other issues like high blood pressure. Take the plunge and swap those sugary beverages for water.

Y Tip: Try adding fruit to your water if you’re missing the sweetness of sugary drinks. It will add a hint of flavor without any added sugar. Strawberries, lemons and cucumbers are some examples of fun additions to make your water more flavorful. Get creative!

Find new moves. If you are starting to dread your workouts, then maybe it’s time to switch them up. Getting stuck in a workout rut can possibly lead you plateauing or quitting your routine all together. If you’re starting to roll your eyes at the thought of lacing up your sneakers, we encourage you to try a new group exercise class or workout format than what you’re used to.

Y Tip: Did you know that the YMCA of Coastal Georgia offers dozens of group exercise classes to choose from? From low impact to HIIT offerings, check out our group exercise calendar or meet with one of our certified personal trainers to explore your options. Go with a format you’ve never tried before or that you’re not familiar with – you just may find your new favorite and reignite your passion for exercise! Click here to find the group exercise schedule at your home branch!

No nightly scrolling. It may be one of the hardest habits to break – lying in bed, the comfort of the blue glow on your face as you scroll mindlessly through the internet. Studies show that looking at your phone before snoozing can have negative effects on your quality of sleep. Since we know sleep is just as important for your health as any other activity, we suggest powering down your device and allowing the sandman to do his job, naturally.

Y Tip: Choose nighttime activities which promote sleep, like practicing meditation or relaxation techniques. You will thank yourself in the morning!

YMCA of Coastal Georgia Gives Savannah Area Children More Than 200 Beds and A Place to Dream

Posted on December 1, 2022 Updated on January 11, 2023 by Joseph Prado

Since the inception of the A Place to Dream program, more than 250 beds have been delivered to area children with no place to sleep.

In November, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s A Place to Dream program made delivery of 23 beds for children without their own dedicated place to sleep. With a delivery scheduled for this month, the Y has a goal of delivering at least 250 beds by the end of 2022.

Every night, many Coastal Georgia children sleep on floors, couches, chairs or in shared beds with siblings or other family members. Many of these children are not getting the recommended amount of sleep per night, putting them at risk for cognitive and developmental delays. According to GEEARS (Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students), the most rapid period of brain development happens between birth and age 8, where sleep is most essential to this growth.

“When we really looked at the level of need, we knew we had to react,” says YMCA of Coastal Georgia President & CEO Joel Smoker of the program’s initial development. “Research continually demonstrates the effects a good night’s sleep has on a child’s mental, emotional and intellectual development. If we can provide the tools to help children thrive, we’re going to act.”

In partnership with the Housing Authority of Savannah, the Y’s A Place to Dream program provides a twin-size bed frame, mattress and pillow, complete linen set and a gift bag with a story book, Bible, flashlight, stuffed animal, toothbrush and toothpaste, activity book and crayons, and a certificate for a free swimming lesson at the Y. Thanks to P.A.C.K., families are also provided with two bags of groceries.

In December of 2021, the program expanded to Statesboro with the delivery of 10 bed sets, gift bags, and a bag of food items from Statesboro’s TMT Farms. The Statesboro Family YMCA is making delivery of another 10 beds over the first weekend in December, and setting the goal to double its delivery volume in 2023.

Heading the program up is YMCA Pastor Herb Hubbard. Pastor Hubbard was himself a foster child and understands the strain that not getting a good night’s sleep can place on children.

“When I was a child, I often felt insecure in foster housing, and not sleeping well made it extra tough on me in school,” he explains. “I was also afraid of the dark—that’s why I think it’s important that we include a small flashlight in all our gift bags. So that the children don’t ever have to be afraid of the dark and can rest easy.”

All funds raised for A Place to Dream go directly to the support of the program, offsetting the cost per bed of around $300, and expense of purchasing and filling the gift bags with books and other supplies. Livingood’s Appliances & Bedding generously provides a truck and loading/unloading help for delivery days, and a bevy of volunteers assemble the beds inside homes.

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