YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge Returns to The Woodlands Sept. 30 - Oct. 3; Q&A with YMCA Community Liaison Roxanne Davis

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The longstanding community tradition of rowing for cause is back! Celebrating its 22nd year, the Annual YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge Presented by Repsol is Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 at Northshore Park and Lake Woodlands.

'Teams will race colorful, dragon-headed boats across Lake Woodlands, participate in games and enjoy friendly competition in support of the community-strengthening programs provided by The Woodlands Family YMCA. Proceeds benefit The Woodlands Family YMCA Annual Campaign, which ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y.'
-- ymcadragonboat.org

Q&A with Roxanne Davis
Community Liaison for The Woodlands Family YMCA at Shadowbend and Branch Crossing

 
What services does the YMCA Annual Campaign provide?

Rowing for a CAUSE is one of four annual events that raises funds for the Annual Campaign. The Annual Campaign ensures that everyone has equal access to Y programs and services to help them be successful and thrive. Financial assistance is available for individuals, families, seniors etc . . . with limited resources so they too can participate at the Y: Membership for the family, youth sports, swim lessons, summer camp, after-school care, teen leadership and so much more. The YMCA is committed to removing the barriers so all families can reach their fullest potential, regardless of their financial resources. Each year, The Woodlands Family YMCA provides more than $600,000 in financial assistance, to those in need, living in the Montgomery County area.?? The campaign is about more than just raising money. It is about the life changing impact that the YMCA provides by opening doors to those in need. The child who gains confidence through learning opportunities, the active older adult who is no longer isolated and is living a healthy and active lifestyle, a family given opportunities to spend quality time together and so many more. The stories of those who are impacted by the Y have the power to unite and inspire.
 
For more information on how you can support the YMCA and make a life changing impact, visit https://ymcahouston.org/give-form.
 
The Dragon Boat Race has become a Woodlands tradition. Why is community important to the YMCA?

Community is everything to the YMCA. We are a Community. Strengthening Community is our CAUSE.
 
Dragon Boat is a tradition– we have many teams that have been with us since the inaugural year, back in 1999! The Dragon Boat Event is so much more than a race. It is an opportunity to bring the community together, to celebrate, reconnect, rejuvenate and support the Y’s efforts to strengthen the community in spirit, mind and body. The Dragon Boat Team Challenge is all about Team Work, coming together as a team to be successful through a variety of unique games and activities with a single goal of having FUN! Now, more than ever, after the last 18 months of isolation, we need events such as this for folks to reconnect, relax and just have FUN!
 
What's your favorite part of the event?

My favorite part is seeing old friends, witnessing the team work & good sportsmanship and hearing all the laughter! This holds true not just for the teams participating but the event staff and volunteers coming together as a team to provide a fun and safe event. Together, We Strengthen Community.  
 
It takes a village. The success of the Y and the impact we have on the community, is a result of the generous community partners that trust and support the YMCA’s mission. A great big thank you to our 2021 Dragon Boat Sponsors: REPSOL, Alight Solutions, St. Luke’s Health The Woodlands, Excelerate Energy, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, NewPark Resources, Charbonneau Industries, Houston Methodist Hospital The Woodlands, Woodforest National Bank, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Two Men & a Truck, Waste Management and The Woodlands Township. A special thank you to our friends at WoodlandsOnline for supporting the YMCA and sharing our story for more than 20+ years.

| Visit ymcadragonboat.org for more info! |