YMCA's 25th anniversary "YCon" series, part three

The Washington County Family YMCA is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the Y is recognizing some of the people who helped build and sustain the organization over the past quarter century.

Lovingly dubbed "YCons", the group includes founding leaders, longtime volunteers, staff members, and early supporters who played a role in establishing and growing the YMCA in Washington County. Some helped launch the effort in the early days, while others have spent years giving their time and energy to keep it going.

Over the next few weeks, The Washington County Times will publish a series highlighting these individuals. Each story is provided by the Washington County Family YMCA, and published as-is.

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Kristy Purlee

When I was growing up, the YMCA didn’t exist in Washington County. My first experience with the Y actually happened states away, during summers in Virginia with my dad. That’s where I discovered what the YMCA really was.

I went to camp, spent long days outside, and was surrounded by counselors who poured into us in ways that stuck. We played games, swam, learned teamwork, and built friendships that felt like family. Every summer, leaving was hard. My heart would ache saying goodbye to people who had become such an important part of my life.

So when I was in college and learned that my younger siblings were playing in a YMCA soccer league and that a YMCA was being built back home, I’ll be honest… I was a little jealous. I wished I had that growing up.

At the time, I never imagined I would return to Washington County after graduating from Salem High School. But life has a way of unfolding differently than we expect. I came back to start my family and begin a new chapter, one that only God could have written.

I’ve always had a deep love for people, and I quickly found myself plugged into the community through Big Brothers Big Sisters and Bible studies. I was working in the Community Learning Center when Jon Hill approached me about teaching the spin class I had been attending.

That season was so much fun. I loved creating playlists, building routines, and challenging people in the room. But after a difficult pregnancy, I stepped away from instructing and focused on my family.

A couple of years later, when my son was two, Scott Johnson asked me to interview for the Membership Director position. I remember feeling a strong pull toward the YMCA. It felt like an opportunity to give back to a community that had shaped me, and to create spaces where others could feel seen, supported, and loved.

Membership was a perfect fit. I spent four years learning, growing, and connecting with people. Then came a moment I didn’t see coming. The board asked me to step into the Interim CEO role.

I was hesitant. The weight of that title felt heavy, especially as a wife and a mom. But through prayer and conversations with my family, I felt called to say yes.

In 2016, I officially stepped into the role of CEO.

What I’ve learned since then has completely transformed my understanding of what the YMCA truly is. It is so much more than a place to work out. It is a place where people find rest. Where they find friendship. Where they find support. And where they find God.

Today, a large part of my time is spent working alongside our Board of Directors, helping bring to life a vision that will serve families for generations. Together, we are building toward an expanded YMCA with a community recreation space and a childcare center that will meet the growing needs of Washington County.

I’ve become an advocate for this mission in ways I never expected. Fundraising, writing grants, sharing our story, and making sure we stay aligned with what our community truly needs. It’s not always easy. There are moments that feel heavy, where the responsibility seems bigger than what I can carry.

But I’ve never carried it alone.

I’ll never forget the volunteers who poured encouragement into me when I needed it most. Leaders like Wes Jones, Rusty Hudson, Lynn Reed, and Cindy Winkler reminded me to keep going, even in seasons when I felt like I couldn’t keep up.

They showed me what servant leadership looks like in action.

Leadership here has reshaped me. I’ve learned that it isn’t about being in charge. It’s about serving. It’s about walking alongside people, encouraging them to grow, and understanding that sometimes the best outcomes take time. Not every problem needs a quick fix. Some journeys are meant to shape us along the way.

I still love stepping into group exercise classes, feeling that shared energy and camaraderie. And I feel incredibly blessed to spend my days surrounded by servant leaders, volunteers, and a community that believes in something bigger than themselves.

Because at the end of the day, there truly is no place like this place.

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Chelsey Miller

Chelsey Miller’s story at the YMCA is one of growth, connection, and the kind of full circle impact that only happens when you invest in people over time.

She began her journey at the Y as a camp counselor, stepping into a role that would shape both her path and the lives of the children around her.

“I had the privilege of beginning my time at the Y as a camp counselor. During that time I met so many amazing children.”

Those early days left a lasting impression on her. The children she worked with showed her something deeper than just fun summer memories.

“Children who showed me what joy was, children who laughed at the wind blowing through their hair during outdoor time, children who danced without a care of what others thought, children who showed deep kindness for a hurting friend.”

What makes Chelsey’s story so special is what happened next. “These same children were ones that I had the privilege of interviewing as camp staff members years later as the Youth First Director.”

The impact of the Y didn’t stop when camp ended. It continued to grow, shaping future leaders in the very same spaces where they once played.

“Getting to watch this full circle of children to counselors and then seeing them graduate and become teachers and nurses in our community has been so special to what I do at the Y.”

For Chelsey, there truly is no place like this place. “What we do in the community is extremely important to the future of our county.”

But what stands out most to her is something you can’t always measure on paper. “One of the most special things about the Y though is the culture of our workplace. This place is like no other.”

She describes a workplace built on relationships, understanding, and support.

“Having a place that allows you to foster friendships, a place that understands our own lives comes first in what we do, a community of co workers who encourage and support you, those are not something that happens overnight, it is something that is built over time. It is what sets our workplace apart.”

That same sense of connection shows up every day in the lives of members. “Seeing the connectedness that comes from our Active Older Adult classes is a great reminder of the most important things in life.”

People may walk through the doors for different reasons, but they leave with something much deeper. “They come seeking different things, some want to focus on a healthier lifestyle, some want to get more socialization. However, what they walk away with is a community of new and old friends who support them.”

Chelsey has seen firsthand what that kind of community looks like in real life. “I have seen them hold their hands through the loss of a loved one, and celebrate good news from the doctor.”

For her, that is the heart of the YMCA. “Their community embodies what we work to do in every piece of our work at the Y.”

Chelsey’s story is a reminder that the Y is not just a place people come to. It is a place where people grow up, give back, and find a community that walks with them through every stage of life.

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Tom Scifres

Sometimes a community legacy begins with something simple, like signing kids up for soccer at the county fair.

Tom Scifres’ Y Origin Story begins before the Washington County Family YMCA building even existed.

At the time the YMCA was being planned, Tom and his wife Kim were not living in Salem. They had talked about moving back so Tom could open his law office, but several factors made the decision difficult. One of those reasons was the lack of an organized soccer program for their children.

Then Tom received a call from his father with exciting news.

“I have great news!” The new YMCA was starting a youth soccer program.

In July of 2001, Tom’s father, Paul Scifres, attended the Washington County Fair and signed Tom’s children up to play in the new YMCA soccer program. Several hundred kids registered for the first fall soccer season that year, marking the beginning of what would become one of the YMCA’s most beloved youth programs.

What began as a grandfather signing his grandchildren up for soccer would become the start of Tom’s deeper involvement with the YMCA and its mission in Washington County.

Launching the program required tremendous volunteer effort. YMCA board members and volunteers spent countless hours preparing fields, coaching practices and games, and supporting the program however it was needed.

When asked what is one memory from his time at the Y that he will never forget, Tom recalls working alongside fellow volunteer Chad Brough preparing the soccer fields before the season began.

“Filling holes in the field with topsoil with Chad Brough to prevent injuries.”

Around that same time, Tom deepened his involvement with the YMCA by joining the Board of Directors in November of 2001.

During his time on the board, Tom helped expand soccer opportunities even further. After responding to a solicitation from Challenger Sports, he helped bring their British Soccer Camps to Salem.

“Sometime around my third year on the Board, I responded to a solicitation from Challenger Sports to offer their ‘British Soccer Camps’ in Salem. Our first year of camps, they sent two British coaches to Salem, who were hosted at our home (Tom and Kim Scifres) and the home of Dr. Jon Noel and Kristi Noel.”

Seventy-two children participated in the first year of British Soccer Camp, helping grow excitement and opportunity for youth soccer in Washington County.

Tom’s leadership with the YMCA continued to grow. After some time serving on the Board of Directors, he stepped away to focus on family and work. However, the YMCA’s mission remained close to his heart.

In 2005, Ernie Gravatt, then President of the Board, encouraged Tom to return as Vice President.

Tom recalls, “Understanding the Y’s impact, I made the decision to join as Vice President.”

Later that year, Ernie sadly passed away, and Tom stepped into the role of President of the Board during a pivotal time for the YMCA.

During his leadership, Tom played a key role in helping secure funding for the YMCA’s current facility on Shelby Street. He worked alongside fellow board member and architect John Hawkins to write a grant proposal for the Ogle Foundation, with assistance from Dr. Gene Hedrick.

Tom remembers the dedication that went into writing the proposal.

“Writing the grant took a great deal of time and research. We knew the YMCA was a great need for the community and I wanted the proposal to be perfect.”

That effort helped make the YMCA facility possible. With a $500,000 grant from the Washington County Community Foundation, a $400,000 grant from the Ogle Foundation, and local matching funds, the YMCA was able to construct the facility that continues to serve families today.

Tom also remembers how additional partnerships strengthened the project.

“Additionally, contributions from the CAPE grant (for the Learning Center) and the City of Salem (for the Senior Center) allowed us to build the facility that included those two entities.”

Why is there “No Place Like This Place?”

In Tom’s words, “The YMCA is more than a gym.”

Unlike many fitness centers, the YMCA is built around people and purpose. Guided by its focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility, the YMCA offers programs for every age and provides services that bring the entire community together.

For Tom, the YMCA stands apart because it is a place where families connect, youth grow, and community members feel safe and supported.

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David Brown

The First Executive Director Who Helped Bring the YMCA to Life

Every YMCA has a moment when an idea becomes reality. For the Washington County Family YMCA, that moment began in 2001 when David Brown stepped in as the organization’s very first Executive Director.

As remembered by his son Adam Brown, the YMCA that people know today looked very different in those early days.

At the time, David had recently taken early retirement from Tecumseh Products. While he was ready for a change, he was not ready to stop working. When he heard about plans to start a YMCA in Washington County, he saw it as something more than just a job. He saw it as an opportunity to serve his community.

David had always been involved in public service. Over the years he served in many roles including county commissioner, school board member, and town council member. So when the opportunity came to help launch the YMCA, it felt like a natural fit.

But the job he stepped into looked nothing like the YMCA we see today.

In fact, the night before his first day of work, Adam asked him a simple question.

“Where are you going to go tomorrow?”

There was no facility yet. No office. No Westminster location. No Shelby Street YMCA.

David paused and answered honestly.“I’m not really sure.”

The next day, Adam happened to spot his father’s truck parked outside a small building that today houses a barbershop. Curious, he poked his head inside and asked if this was his office.

“For now,” David said.

Inside the tiny room sat a single desk placed in the middle of the space. That was the headquarters of the brand new Washington County Family YMCA.

From that small beginning, David began the work of building the organization from the ground up. Eventually the YMCA began operating out of Westminster Center, where the community finally started to see the vision take shape.

Adam remembers how meaningful it was when the doors first opened and people began walking in.

“I think he was proud when they first opened the doors and people were coming in. That’s when it became real.”

There was no handbook explaining how to run a brand new YMCA. Systems had to be created from scratch. Membership cards were handwritten. Programs were invented one at a time. Staff and volunteers simply tried things, learning as they went.

Adam still remembers receiving one of the very first membership cards.

“They had membership cards printed out with a blank spot for the membership number. Dad just wrote them in by hand. I think mine was number three.”

The early days required creativity and persistence. Equipment sometimes had to be repaired with whatever tools were available. Adam laughs remembering one machine that David fixed with Gorilla Glue just to keep it running.

But what they lacked in resources, they made up for in determination and shared purpose.

“It was a little bit like assembling a plane while you’re in midair,” Adam recalls. “Everybody was figuring it out together. But everyone had the same goal and was pushing in the same direction.”

David served as Executive Director for several years, helping establish the foundation that would allow the YMCA to grow into the thriving community organization it is today.

Twenty five years later, Adam now experiences the YMCA from a completely different perspective. As a young adult he simply saw it as a convenient place to work out and connect with friends. Today, his own child attends preschool at the YMCA.

And when he looks at everything the YMCA has become, he believes his father would be proud.

“I think he would be really impressed to see what those baby steps turned into.”

What began with a desk in a tiny room has grown into a place where children learn, families connect, and the community grows stronger together.

David Brown helped take the very first steps to make that possible.

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Wes Jones

As shared by his wife, Lynn Jones

Some people support the YMCA. Others live it. Wes Jones was one of those people.

Wes first became connected to the Washington County Family YMCA around 2004, when the building was constructed just across the street from where he and Lynn lived. From the very beginning, he saw the YMCA as something special for the community and was drawn to it immediately.

In 2013, Wes took his involvement a step further by joining the YMCA Board of Directors, where he served faithfully until 2019. But his impact went far beyond board meetings and decisions. Wes was known for showing up whenever and wherever he was needed.

“If something needed fixed, Wes was there,” Lynn shared. “Whether it was a toilet or a mower, he just jumped in to help.”

Wes had a personality that naturally fit the YMCA. He loved people. He loved competition. And more than anything, he loved bringing those two things together.

“He would talk to anyone and everyone,” Lynn said. “The Y was a place where he could connect with others and enjoy a little friendly competition. It was the perfect fit for him.”

That love of connection and competition helped spark something new at the Y. Alongside fellow board member Cindy Winkler, Wes helped introduce pickleball to the YMCA by setting up the very first games in the group exercise room.

What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something much bigger. In 2021, the YMCA built exterior pickleball and basketball courts, and in honor of Wes’s impact and legacy, the pickleball courts were named after him following his passing in 2019. Today, those courts continue to bring people together in the same spirit Wes loved so much.

To Wes, the YMCA was more than a building. It was a place that strengthened people in every way.

“He believed the Y helped people physically, socially, and spiritually,” Lynn said. “And that it was always welcoming to everyone.”

During his time on the board, Wes witnessed many milestones, but one stood out above the rest. After attending a YMCA conference in Indianapolis, he came home with a strong conviction.

“I don’t intend to embarrass Kristy,” Lynn laughed, “but Wes would say the biggest accomplishment was hiring Kristy Purlee as CEO. He came back from that conference and said, ‘We have got to get Kristy as our CEO.’ He was so proud of the work she did.”

Wes passed away in 2019, but his legacy continues to be felt throughout the YMCA in the friendships formed, the programs supported, and the countless ways he gave of his time and talents.

If Wes were here today, Lynn knows exactly what he would say.

“He would be so excited about the new capital project. And he’d tell everyone, ‘Come visit the Y. There is something for everyone.’”

That simple invitation reflects everything Wes believed in. A place where everyone belongs, everyone is welcome, and everyone has the opportunity to grow.

Because of people like Wes, there truly is no place like this place.