Twenty years after the Gleason Family YMCA was built, the non-profit has successfully fulfilled the mission set forth by Dr. Charles “Sherm” Gleason and Dr. Betty Gleason, who donated the land for its construction. 

“It did exactly what Sherm and Betty Gleason wanted it to do,” said Gleason Family YMCA’s Executive Director Debby Fringuelli during the YMCA branch’s 20th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Aug. 24. 

Partygoers ranged from the Wareham-based YMCA’s original members to little ones that attend the branch’s daycare programs. 

Those present for the occasion had the opportunity to listen to live music, play on a giant inflatable obstacle course, participate in outdoor games and indulge in ice cream sundaes, among other activities. 

The Gleason Family YMCA opened on six acres of land in Wareham in August 2004 and was “built with the purpose to serve the community,” said Fringuelli. 

Seeing how the branch “continues to thrive” and has “evolved to meet the needs of the community,” puts a smile on her face, she said, as she looked around at all those who had come to celebrate the organization’s milestone.

“It’s a great day to celebrate,” she noted.  

Among those in attendance were Bob and Jane Gleason. Bob is the son of Sherm and Betty Gleason, and sits on the YMCA’s Board of Advisors. 

His parents donated the land for the building and spearheaded fundraising efforts for its construction, he said. His wife Jane was the architect for the building. 

“I’m thrilled,” said Jane Gleason, who shared that the branch was built with the intention of expanding to meet the needs of the community. 

Just a year after the building opened, it underwent an addition to make the branch’s Wellness Center larger, she said.

“It’s pretty amazing that it’s grown as big as it has, as fast as it has,” Bob Gleason stated. “It’s done extremely well.” 

“Getting stronger through collaborations,” has been a key part of the YMCA branch’s evolution over the last 20 years, said Fringuelli. “If there is something going on that needs support, people know to come to us.”

The Gleason Family YMCA has been an integral place for making friendships and memories for sisters Karli and Lydia Legault, according to their soon-to-be-adoptive fathers Joe and Kevin Legault. 

“The Y is a safe space for [our] children,” the couple said. “They’re growing up here, [and] they love it. They’ve met everybody through here.”