Hop Online to Register for Hillsborough Hop 5K

Annual race will benefit YMCA's Strong Kids campaign.

Spots are filling up quickly for this year's Hillsborough Hop 5K. The annual fundraiser sponsored by the Hillsborough branch of the Somerset Valley YMCA is scheduled for 8 a.m. June 1 and runs from the Hillsborough branch at 19 E. Mountain Road to the municipal building. “The Hillsborough Hop brings families and the community together in a fun, 5K race that encourages everyone to strive for and reach a personal fitness goal. The Hillsborough Family YMCA is pleased to sponsor an event that has continued to grow in its 13 years and has become a fun spring fitness tradition in the Hillsborough community,” said Johnathan White, senior program director at the Hillsborough Family YMCA. The  race  is  a  benefit  for  the  Hillsborough  Family  …

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YMCA Interim CEO Appointed

Karyn Lightcap will fill in with the Somerset Valley YMCA.

With Somerset Valley YMCA CEO Paul Kieltyka out on medical leave, Bedminster resident Karyn Lightcap has been named as the interim CEO. Lightcap currently serves as the chief financial officer for the Somerset Valley YMCA, and will be the leader of the branches in Bridgewater, Hillsborough and Somerville until Kieltyka returns. According to a release from the YMCA, Lightcap has served the organization for two years. “Karyn has already demonstrated amazing leadership qualities internally at the Somerset Valley YMCA with our staff, board of directors and members,” Andrea Thorne, board chair of the YMCA, said in the release. “I am excited that the public will now have a chance to interact with her and experience her passion for the Y and for …

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Local YMCAs Set Healthy Kids Day Events

Part of nationwide effort to encourage children to be more physically active.

On April 27, the Somerset Valley YMCA joins Ys across the country in celebrating Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that encourages kids to keep moving and learning throughout the summer. All are invited to join the Somerset Valley YMCA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Bridgewater, Hillsborough and Somerville branches to exercise, enjoy games, snack on healthy foods and learn how to live healthier as summer approaches, a critical out-of-school time for children.  Healthy Kids is a national initiative to improve the health and well-being of families now and throughout the summer, a time when kids are often less physically active and engaged in learning.  Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity …

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New Board Members Join SVYMCA Annual Meeting

March 19 meeting at Royce Brook included recognition of volunteers.

The Somerset Valley YMCA is pleased to announce four new members who have been selected to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. They are: Michael Kalafer, Brendan Monahan, Joe Hanley and Kelly Ambrose. “They each share a passion for doing good and are excited to share their extensive knowledge to help us as we work towards developing new relationships and creating strategies to improve our overall impact,” said Andrea Thorne, board chairwoman. Three of the four board members—Kalafer, Monahan and Hanley—were introduced at a monthly Y board meeting on March 19, and then joined in the Y’s annual meeting which was immediately following. This year’s annual meeting, held at the Royce Brook Golf Club, welcomed more than 60 members, …

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Scouts and YMCA Volunteers Host Swim Skills Clinic

20 young participants learn basic skills at event.

Hillsborough Girl Scouts Junior Troop 60230 held its "Operation Safety Swim" on March 17, with 20 kids gaining life-saving swim skills from the Scouts and certified swim instructors and coaches Adele Morgan, Alyssa Barberio and Michele Capano-Morley. Troop Co-Leaders Kim Caridi and Susan Van Pelt said the 20 participants were between the ages of 6-9, and included 15 girls and five boys. In addition to the troop members Meg Cappabianca, Emily Caridi, Zoe Hack, Katie Heck, Julia Spano and Kate Van Pelt, five SVYMCA Swim Team volunteers—Glin Bower, Luca and Gianna Moscetti, Samantha Stubbe and Brittany De Rogatis—helped. The 14 Hillsborough and six Somerset youth residents participated in Team Building games to break the ice and allay any …

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Somerset Valley Y Swimmers Win State Championship

Hillsborough swimmers help help pace teams.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Somerset Valley YMCA swim team has won the NJ YMCA State Championship swim meet, with Hillsborough swimmers Brad Zdroik, Lindsay Temple, Rachel Stoddard and Jacquelynn Parker helping to set the pace. Somerset Valley YMCA swimmers competing at the YMCA 13 and Over State Championship meet held at Franklin & Marshall College on March 8-10 placed first in the Girls 13-14, Girls 15-18 and Boys 15-18 age group categories. Combined with scores earned by the younger members of the team at the YMCA 12 and Under State Championships held Feb. 22-24 at Ocean County YMCA, the Somerset Valley YMCA swim team won first place overall out of 50 teams. The meet featuring the older swimmers at Franklin & Marshall College…

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YMCA Draws More Than 100 to Strong Kids Kick-Off

Fundraising project opens with activities, food—and fun.

Tuesday's "It Starts With One" fundraising campaign kickoff for the Somerset Valley YMCA drew more than 100 visitors to the East Mountain Road center. The event was aimed at helping highlight the Y's "Strong Kids" fund which helps the Y provide residents with services that include health care, wellness activities, senior fitness and more, according to Somerset Valley YMCA CEO Paul Kieltyka. The fundraising helps the nonprofit provide services for all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. This year's fundraising goal is $164,000 this year, more than the $155,000 raised in 2012. 

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YMCA to Kick Off Strong Kids Campaign

The program will be held at the Hillsborough YMCA.

The Somerset Valley YMCA is kicking off its fourth annual Strong Kids support campaign with a program at the Hillsborough branch on East Mountain Road Tuesday. The campaign, this year called "It Starts With One," is a fundraiser designed to make sure that the YMCA can continue to provide residents with services that include health care, wellness activities, senior fitness and more, according to Bev McCarron, with the YMCA. The goal, McCarron said, is to raise $164,000 this year, more than the $155,000 raised in 2012. The kick-off will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and all YMCA and community members are invited to attend for food and fun. YMCA members will be invited to speak about the impact the Somerset Valley YMCA has had on their …

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YMCA Takes the Fight to Childhood Obesity

The Somerset Valley, including Hillsborough, expands statewide initiative into its pre-school programs.

Fall Brings Free Fun at YMCA

Festival is open to all ages and will include free food and a chance to win prizes.

As fall officially rolls in, Hillsborough residents can celebrate the equinox and the change of seasons at the Hillsborough Family YMCA. On Saturday, the Y is celebrating with its Family Fall Festival, which is free and open to all ages. You can stop by from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet the staff, exercise, win prizes, and even grab a bite to eat. The Y is welcoming community members to try its youth sports and adult exercise classes, such as family Zumba. Kids can take part in an arts class or a dance class, play in a "bounce house" or enjoy face-painting. Program and Camp Director Matt Gray and Associate Sports and Teen Director Bryan Elsasser will be on hand to organize sports and games for kids. As for food, the Y staff will be popping …

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