Meet Lynda Paananen, a dedicated volunteer and donor whose journey with YMCA Calgary has profoundly shaped her life.
Lynda’s passion for fitness began long before she discovered the YMCA, but it was the YMCA that shifted the way she thought about fitness by connecting health, community and personal growth in a way that truly flourished. Initially, she joined in the early 2000s to maintain her fitness routine, but over time, the YMCA became more than just a gym, but a cornerstone of her life.
“I joined the Y to fit a quick workout in over the lunch hour close to my office,” Lynda recalls, “but without me even realizing it, that hour became pivotal in my day because I couldn’t wait to go! I realized the YMCA was much more than a place to ‘just’ work out. You have a beautiful opportunity to connect with like-minded people who are there for the same reason you are. I found a sense of connection at the Y which I grossly underestimated when I initially joined.
One person who played a pivotal role in Lynda’s early YMCA journey was Brigitte Dionne-Bourassa, a YMCA staff member (and now General Manager of Crowfoot YMCA). “If you were ever a member at the old Eau Claire location, you will remember how often Brigitte would be at the entrance to welcome members. She had - and still has - a way of making members feel welcome; like visiting a friend. That is what makes her so impactful as a Y ambassador.
But it isn’t just saying hello every day that makes Brigitte special. It is her ability to see potential in others, even when they can’t see it themselves.
“My personal growth story started with Brigitte. She relentlessly kept asking me to join a class that she taught” Lynda jokes. “Eventually I gave it a try and after one class I was hooked. It was such a great class. That one class evolved into a personal growth journey that I never expected”.
That one fitness class led to volunteering as an instructor for group fitness, again relentlessly encouraged by Brigitte. “Volunteering as an instructor was something I didn’t think I had in me, but the experience has boosted my confidence tenfold,” she says. “I grew into a confident leader and public speaker and I owe that to Brigitte and the Y.” For Lynda, the YMCA isn’t just a gym, but a place that nurtures both physical and mental well-being. “The gifts the YMCA have provided me will forever outweigh anything I can give back.”
Lynda strongly believes that we all need to lead by example. Lynda and her husband have instilled in their two daughters the Y’s values of health, fitness, and community. “My girls are teenagers now, which is a very influential period in life. I can say whatever I want to them, and they ignore my words. The magic of influence, however, is that they watch what I do. I can see them both leaning into health and community through the eyes of the YMCA. They both now go on their own!” she says proudly.
Lynda’s experience with the YMCA deepened when she realized it is a charity. “I didn’t even realize the YMCA was a charity until I started volunteering,” she says. “That discovery made me want to do more.” Her passion for the YMCA’s mission led her to support its Child and Youth programs, believing that every child should have the opportunity to be active. “It’s about living as role models and teaching our kids the importance of community involvement.”
Lynda’s commitment to YMCA Calgary has also inspired her to make an endowment gift to help ensure the organization’s future success. “I’ve set my girls up for success, and I want to set the Y community up for success also,” she says. “I want others to experience the growth and fulfillment I’ve found here.”
Reflecting on her YMCA journey, Lynda says, “When I first joined, I thought it was just a gym, but it became so much more. It’s been a place of personal growth, lifelong friendships, and a commitment to giving back.” The YMCA, for Lynda, is a place that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and fosters meaningful connections.
Lynda’s story is a powerful reminder that the YMCA is not just a fitness center; it’s a place that nurtures well-being, builds community, and encourages lifelong growth. It’s a space where physical fitness is just the beginning of a larger journey.
Join Lynda and others in making a lasting impact on the community by donating to YMCA Calgary. Together, we can continue empowering individuals and strengthening the bonds that hold us together.