Lonnie Gunn says coming to the Y to play basketball or to workout is the excitement in his life.
“I guess you could call it therapy, too. It’s my peace of mind,” he said.
Lonnie is a member of YMCA O’Brien Center, and a former member of the South Bend-Mishawaka YMCA. He said he’s been a member for the last 12 years and would play pickup basketball at the Y as a teenager.
He said he keeps coming back because it’s a comfortable place to be.
“Especially coming here for so long; it’s a comfort thing,” Lonnie said.
On a typical day, you can find Lonnie exercising in the weight room, or playing basketball in the gym.
“Basketball is my favorite thing to do, probably,” he said.
When he’s not at the Y, he’s working or spending time with his family. His son is also a Y member. Lonnie says if someone is considering joining the Y, they should just get a Day Pass and try it out.
“One thing about the environment here is, everyone is nice. The staff are nice, the members are nice. You don’t have to worry about anything,” Lonnie said.
He said especially on the basketball court.
“You could get pushed off the court or not get to play some places, but not here,” he said.
Lonnie, age 35, said he plans to be a Y member for the rest of his life.
“I like consistency. The Y has been here for me, I’ll stick to what I know,” he said.
*Story published in 2021 Annual Report.
