YMCA

As we kick off the month of June, a new 3 Degree Guarantee recipient is on the horizon.

The Canadian wildfires that have shrouded much of the nation in smoky haze are making it much harder for American kids to enjoy one of the staples of summer camp: fresh country air.

A sport that’s all the rage lately, pickleball, is growing in the Roanoke Valley.

At 6:45 a.m. on June 21, Prom will hit the water at the Franklin County Family YMCA to swim 21 laps. She is seeking donors of $21, or more. Reaching that goal will net $441 towards her year’s goal of $2,040 for the Alzheimer’s Association’s “The Longest Day” program. She has already raised about $1,200.

Filling up your bowl while giving back, that’s the goal of the “Souper” Bowl.

The Pulaski County YMCA has a brand new renovated facility.

Local service members go the chance to learn about programs in the area while enjoying a hot meal and connecting with the school’s corps of cadets.

On Tuesday, the YMCA of Central Virginia announced an $11.5 million capital campaign goal to renovate the Downtown YMCA on Church Street.

"Teach the young kids fundamentals of basketball and the main purpose is to learn more social skills among each other."

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

The return to classrooms for the nation’s schoolchildren hasn't meant a return to work for many of their parents who are finding after-school programs in short supply.

The open house is scheduled for Feb. 28 from 4:30 to 6:30PM at the Central Church of Christ in Bedford.

No charges will be filed in a tragic incident where a 5-year-old boy passed away after drowning at the Pulaski County YMCA, according to special prosecutor W. Wesley Nance.

The big game is a few weeks away, but if you’re more of a soup fan than a football fan, we have the perfect event for you.

Ringing in the New Year can mean setting new fitness goals, but they are not always easy to keep.

Pulaski County Public Schools has established a fund to help a family dealing with the death of a 5-year-old boy.

Giving Tuesday is a day centered on generosity and a lot of local organizations need your help.

The current facility was built in 1956. No word yet on when renovations are expected to be complete.

In the wake of the most devastating public-health emergency in a century and the resulting economic uncertainty, Americans provided more charitable dollars to United Way Worldwide than any other nonprofit focused on direct aid, followed by the Salvation Army and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, according to new rankings by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to authorize the emergency use of an antibody treatment to prevent COVID-19.

They’re seeing an increase for need during the pandemic -- impacting families and businesses. The surveys are available through Oct. 29.

The tubing tragedy on the Dan River that left five people dead just across the border in North Carolina last month is reigniting talks about the dam’s removal in Danville.

You and your family may want to soak up the sun this weekend and all the warm weekends to follow. 10 News is working for you, to make sure your skin is protected and you can prevent a drowning when you do go outside this spring and summer.

Virginia Tech students and the YMCA are coming together to help kids find success with virtual learning. They’ve launched an online homework help program. Before the pandemic, YMCA at Virginia Tech had a program where volunteers would go into schools to tutor students. After months of planning, the program launched with nearly 40 volunteers who are Virginia Tech students. Martin said this goes along with YMCA at Virginia Tech’s mission to build connections, it just looks different than it did before.

Santa will help with food distribution today at the YMCA of Virginia Tech’s Meals on Main. He’ll be at the Thrift Shop Parking Lot from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. helping hand out meals and holiday treats. Today is the last day to register for the Build Smart Institute Core Fundamentals of Construction Program. It’s free to any Bedford County student in tenth through twelfth grades who is interested in learning about construction and building trades. You could qualify for free tuition due to money from the CARES Act.

Wytheville Community College holds an in-person advising and registration day for the spring semester. The YMCA at Virginia Tech kicks off its Virtual Craft Fair today. Lynchburg’s Water Resources Department holds a virtual town hall today about removing the College Lake Dam. The Virginia Department of Education will hold a PreK through 12th grade briefing for legislators today. Roanoke County leaders will deliver the State of the County Address today.

President Donald Trump, a man who is famously particular about his appearance, is fully embracing doing a dad dance to the Village People's “YMCA” as the finale to his rallies in the campaign's closing stretch. Trump's rally dance has become a rare moment of levity in an otherwise miserable campaign year marked by a deadly pandemic, an economic recession and racial turmoil. Then order 'Dancing with The Don’ and let President Trump teach you all the hottest moves!" Dancing.”“YMCA,” widely considered a gay anthem, is a relatively new addition to Trump's rally playlist. Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller agreed to reveal the secret to an AP reporter “only if we first get a clip of you singing YMCA.”AP's Jill Colvin declined.

ROANOKE, Va. – After assessing the community’s needs, YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is looking to expand its programming for virtual learners. There are a total of five enrichment centers across Botetourt, Roanoke, Salem and Rockbridge. In the first part of the day, students focus on virtual learning and can get help from staff and volunteers. The second half of the day kids either continue virtual learning if its required in their schedule or they can do physical and outdoor activities. There are sites in Roanoke County and the city of Roanoke they could have kids learning at, but there’s no staffing for it.

BLACKSBURG, Va. Whether its in your piggy bank or in between sofa cushions, YMCA at Virginia Tech wants your change to raise money for community programs. In August, YMCA at Virginia Tech launched its very first Community Change Project. The idea of this Community Change Project popped up once word got out about the national coin shortage, but now the Y wants to make it an annual event. Collecting change also impacts the New River Valley business community. You know for the few people who do bring in cash, its harder for all retailers and restaurants to make change to give them what they need.

ROANOKE, Va. – The YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge is trying to help fill the child care cap this fall, but they need more staff to do it. On Tuesday, August 4, Thursday, August 6 and Saturday, August 8 there will be a virtual job fair to meet the demand. YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge plans to hire for positions within all its regions; Roanoke, Salem, Daleville and Lexington. Since March, the YMCA has supported working families with childcare and they don’t plan to end it in the fall. The job fair is to hire for their usual after-school programs but the greatest need is childcare on virtual school days to help with kids of teachers and other working families.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke County schools will be meeting both in-person and virtually this school year, a plan that doesnt work for everyone. Recognizing that, Roanoke County Public Schools created a task force with the YMCA, The United Way of Roanoke Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, Prevention Council of Roanoke County and area churches to establish new day programs for parents who are impacted by this major change. With the current schedule we are having to adopt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that parents are facing some significant challenges when it comes to child care, said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. This new partnership will help provide low-cost day programs for students ages 12 and under. We are excited to partner with Roanoke County Public Schools, our area out-of-school time providers and others in the community to create a feasible solution for students and families in Roanoke County as schools start.

Carilion Wellness will reopen three of its locations on Wednesday. Staff has designated areas for “dirty” equipment they will clean even after you wipe it down yourself. The Christiansburg location anticipates reopening on Monday. The Danville location anticipates reopening June 12. Group exercise classes return next week at some area YMCA locations.

ROANOKE, Va. New guidelines are giving us a better idea of what summer camp will look like during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Camp Association and the YMCA are recommending extensive cleaning protocols and safety measures, as they do plan on opening. YMCAs in our area have already been using these guidelines. They're doing daily health screenings on all children and workers, deep cleaning and making other adjustments. The YMCA is working to identify additional sites for camp so they can accommodate more children under new capacity limits.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – YMCA buses could be driving through your neighborhood on Wednesday. The YMCA of Central Virginia is collecting healthy snacks for children who don’t have access to them. It’s all a part of the Filling The Bus For Our Future initiative. From noon to 1 p.m., organizers will drive through several communities filling the bus up with books, jump ropes and granola bars. If you don’t live in the neighborhoods that were notified ahead of time, YMCA of Central Virginia officials ask you drop off your snacks at Jamerson Family YMCA in Wyndhurst from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Here’s a full list of what you can donate.

A local female power lifter is heading to Chicago for a major national competition. "They kept loading the bar and kept loading the bar and I just kept pulling and kept pulling," O'kray said. "I have power lifted with them four other times, and I was able to wear my skirt," O'kray said. In a series of emails to the USA Powerlifting Technical Committee, the YMCA pleaded on O'kray's behalf. The upcoming 2019 USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals meet is governed by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF).