Meet TJ Monnette and his family.
TJ and his family have been members of the YMCA for many years. TJ shared how important the YMCA is to the community and was thankful to be able to support the Y through a donation to the YMCA’s Annual Campaign.
TJ is currently paving a way in this community and with his family by being part of the solution not a part of the problem. TJ shared, “I want to do something for my family’s family so they will have something to look back on and be proud of. By investing in our community and refurbishing properties, I want my daughters to see what good they helped create. It’s a big undertaking, but I have been blessed with a good work ethic.”
“I have taken so much from this community, taken so much for granted and so much has also been given to me. I was a part of the problem and not the solution. Now I am part of the solution and not a part of the problem. I have been able to give of my time, but now I am able to give of my finances & treasures.”
TJ volunteers time at the local jail, and continues to mentor those on a similar unhealthy path by being living proof of what positive changes can happen and are able to happen as “there is another way to live”.
TJ shared with a laugh and smile – “Google would never believe my past”.
TJ had an opportunity to donate to the Y many years ago, but the cards were not aligned for this to happen. TJ shared, “I was giving from a selfish and demanding place. Bringing this donation in today is from a deeper genuine place for others besides myself.”
TJ, Kayla, Lexi, Maci, and Khloe really enjoy using the Y, as they are able to witness all the things TJ has helped with, volunteering at gymnastics meets, hauling equipment for gymnastics meets, physical aspects of the building he helped repair – all things that make their family proud to have helped with at the Y.
As a family they chose to give back their treasure to the Y to help others.
TJ LOVES numbers, and he ended our conversation by sharing some amazing numbers with us –
TJ has been married for 545 days. This is a running joke within his family. On his phone, there was a countdown to the day he was getting married, and he decided to keep the app and start counting up. So TJ and Kayla have been married for 545 days. (this number is higher since we met a few weeks ago)
TJ has been clean for 4252 days.
April 20th 2023 is a big numbers day for him as he will have been clean for 4321 days.
Thank you TJ, Kayla and family as we appreciate you!
Find your community. Find your Y.
