Dear Y Community, 

This Father’s Day, we honor all fathers, grandfathers, and father figures as well as husbands, uncles, and brothers who step up every day as role models for our youth, anchors for our families, and pillars for our community. Dads are among our first teachers, cheerleaders, and coaches. Father’s Day reminds us of the small, yet priceless things dads do and the many sacrifices they selflessly make to help us feel seen, affirmed, and loved. They are our champions. They are our heroes. 

My Dad, Eugene Baskerville, worked as a logger since he was a teen, and over the years, despite his eighth-grade education, he worked his way up, defying the odds, to eventually buy the logging company, create jobs for many in our rural southern town in Virginia, and make our community stronger. He cared deeply for our community, especially youth who did not have a father figure in their lives. His days were long, but after a hard day’s work, my dad still made time for a game of basketball or fishing at a local pond with me, my siblings, as well as other youth in our town who needed the attention and support of a father. My dad was always there for us, and he gave the very best of himself to others by doing those small, often invisible things that mattered so much. Through his daily living and interactions, he taught me the true meaning of community caring for community. He embodied what it means to help each other on life’s journey. 

Of all the things I’ve done and accomplished in my life, I believe he would be most proud of the work I do today with the Y, walking along side others in service to community, especially those who are furthest from opportunity and unseen. He would be proud that, on this Father’s Day weekend, we paused to acknowledge those dads who labor in love every day for family and community for a better us. 

Please join me today in honoring and celebrating all fathers past and present who, by showing up every day, inspire us to build on their legacy of service, model their strength and love for family, and achieve their wildest dreams for community.

Please be good yourselves and the fathers in your life.

Happy Father’s Day.

In gratitude and community,

Loria B. Yeadon
President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Seattle