Were you impacted by the recent nor’easter? So many of us were. With a handful of enduring power outages this winter season, our community has certainly weathered its share of storms. Thousands of people across New England remain without power. Here on the peninsula, many families are still returning to normal.

During times of crisis, we tend to think of the word “impact” as a negative one. Foul weather adversely impacts our daily routines. Severe weather can put us and our loved ones at risk. We are frustrated. Cold. Living without running water and heat. We hunker down. And we wait.

All the while, electrical workers stretch their days, test the limits of their bodies—all to restore power to our homes, community centers, and daily routines of care and wellness. They are the heartbeat behind the scenes, the often-nameless women and men working to restore our sense of normal. Their work impacts us. Yet we don’t often get the chance to thank them. After all, we’re just happy when the heat is restored and spirits lift. Work resumes. We press on with our busy lives.

But energy workers received an enormous respite during the recent storm, courtesy of the Boothbay Region YMCA. “We became aware of a need,” said Lisa McIntosh, director of operations for the Y, “and I worked with Rose Mooney, director of facilities, to fill it quickly.” McIntosh is referring to the request for overnight accommodations for the women and men from Central Maine Power repairing the lines, people literally working overtime to restore safety, health, and wellness to the peninsula. “Area guest accommodations were booked due to the eclipse and the workers desperately needed a local place to rest. We provide housing for our summer staff, so our team worked quickly to get the facilities out of winter mode and ready for the workers,” McIntosh added. CMP workers from Canada arrived under emergency conditions and filled the dorm and the Y’s nearby Jackson House to rest before resuming their tireless work to restore power and our sense of normal.

As April is National Volunteer Month, organizations like the YMCA are often busy thanking donors, supporters, members, and children for their commitment to a community hub. Recently, however, the YMCA was able to volunteer space, heat, warm beds, fresh water, and much needed rest for people outside our community. “Our mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and the community,” said Andy Hamblett, chief executive officer, “but our impact extends far beyond those who visit our facilities as members.” Indeed. The Y housed strangers needing rest. At no cost during storms, the Y also keeps its doors open to members and non-members so they can shower, gather water, recharge technology, restore with friends, and know they are not alone during a storm. That is impact. Positive, community impact. So, during this month of recognizing volunteers, the YMCA would like to thank all its supporters for helping us create a restorative space we were able to mobilize in order to make people feel welcome, safe, sheltered, and respected.