A long-standing organization dedicated to wellness and connection celebrated eight decades serving the community on Friday.

The YMCA held a special gathering at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham, with familiar faces from the past and present in attendance.

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“I couldn’t be more excited and proud to showcase the incredible positive impacts that the YMCA has had in the community of Chatham-Kent,” Joe Cebulski, regional manager, told The Daily News.

“It’s amazing that everybody has a bit of a Y story. Maybe they did swim lessons, or were in child care. Maybe a fitness class.”

Eighty years ago, a group of community builders raised $12,000 to bring the YMCA to Chatham. It began in 1945 with hobby clubs and teen dances, eventually growing into a centre for belonging that

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