On Oct. 30, 1929 – six days after the stock market crash that would plunge the nation into the Great Depression – the successful completion of the building fundraising campaign for the Columbus YMCA touched off a celebration the likes of which the city had never seen. Reports of the day noted that hundreds of people poured out into the streets. Church bells pealed. Fire alarms were set off, automobile horns blasted and train whistles blew.

From that day forward, the Frank P. Phillips YMCA has enjoyed a special bond with the community, something that has been a guiding principle of the organization’s governing board, director and staff.

The secret to its success is its ability to anticipate and adapt to the community’s needs.

It’s not surprising then that the board is soliciting input from the community for its new executive director following the retirement of Jimmy Woodruff.

For older Columbus residents the YMCA building on the corner of Second Avenue North and Sixth Street was the place they spent hours and hours, competing in a wide assortment of sports and arts programs, along with Camp Pratt, the highlight of the summer.

Through the years, the Y has seen its share of changes. The closings of the New Hope YMCA and Camp Pratt were difficult decisions based on practical realities and the evolving nature of the organization’s service to the community.

Today, the Y offers programs that appeal to all ages and has been innovative in meeting specific needs in the community.

In 2005, the YMCA started an adaptive fitness program featuring swimming for people with Parkinson’s disease, adding a non-contact boxing program for Parkinson’s sufferers in 2017. In 2014, The Y started its special needs daycamp. The Y was one of the first to recognize the popularity of pickleball, setting up its own court and organizing tournaments as far back as 2023.

These are but a few of the programs that have grown out of the organization’s commitment to serving the body, mind and spirit of the community.

For years, those efforts have benefitted from executive directors with strong ties in the community. Past directors like the late Charlie Box (director from 1996 until 2009) and Andy Boyd (2009 to 2020) grew up at the Y. Woodruff, who took over from Boyd in 2020, was well-known as the store manager at Kroger.

We do not know at this point who the next director will be or what that person’s background will be. Will it be a home-grown leader or someone with a new perspective?

Yet we have confidence that the YMCA board will find the person who best fits their mission.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.