John Kemper’s Current and Future Gifts Provide Hope for Children at the Y

Spring, 2014

John Kemper first became acquainted with the YMCA when his wife gave him a membership to the Downtown Y to encourage him to work out more. John did just that, losing 40 pounds and during that time learning that the Y is so much more.

"That's when I learned about the programs the Y is involved in with the community, such as Christmas Connections, Bright Beginnings and providing a place for physical education for local high schools," John says. As he worked with his personal trainer, she would point out all the places where the Y touched the community.

The more he learned, the more committed and involved John became. He was asked to join the Downtown Y and agreed to serve on that Board. When Tricia Puryear became the executive director of the Downtown Y at the time, she took him on a tour of the Y programs in the East End and showed him how the Y is making a difference in that community. "If you go to visit the children in these schools and don't get involved, you don't have a heart," he explains sincerely.

While serving on the Downtown Board, John took on the responsibility of working on the Downtown Y capital campaign. The facility needed to be updated, as creating more workable space would allow the Y to expand its services. Soon he was recruited by Tracey Ragsdale to serve on the Association Board and to co-chair the YMCA Capital Campaign for the urban branches.

John recently gave a significant annual gift to the Y to ensure that children attending Woodville Elementary School will have a chance to attend Y camp this summer. Camp can have such a transformative effect on children at this age, he believes.

"These children deserve to have hope," he says. "I had a very supportive family growing up, and I know what a difference having a support structure for kids that don't have it can make in their lives."

When creating his estate plans, John wanted to ensure that the charities he cares about are remembered in his plans. A Virginia Military Institute graduate, he was able to attend VMI on a basketball scholarship, so he has endowed two basketball scholarships at VMI. As for the Y, he says, "The Y has been around a long time, and it's important that the Y continue to have a positive influence in the community." Building the endowment will provide a lasting source of support for the Y in the future.