YMCA of the North
Heritage Society Gathering
The YMCA Heritage Society recognizes and honors visionary members of our YMCA communities who are building lasting support for the YMCA’s mission. These individuals and families have created estate gifts for the Y, established YMCA endowment funds, or contributed significantly to an endowment—all leaving a legacy that will impact our communities for generations.
Each year, we gather to honor and celebrate these incredible donors, reminisce with old Y friends, and meet new ones.
2025 Gathering
The 2025 Heritage Society Gathering took place on May 13 at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center. It was an honor to gather with so many dedicated members of our YMCA Heritage Society—visionaries whose generosity ensures the Y’s mission can continue long into the future. Thank you for joining us to celebrate your impact, share stories, and strengthen the community we’ve built together.
At the event, General Board and Heritage Society member Barbara Burwell reflected on her family's long history with YMCA Youth in Government. Her story highlighted the vital role of the Center for Youth Voice in developing tomorrow' s leaders and why her family chose to honor their late father, Justice C. Donald Peterson, through an endowment that will support this vital work well into the future.