FROM CAMP COUNSELORS TO LEGACY DONORS

When Mary and Jim Zastrow arrived at Lake Nebagamon’s YMCA Camp Tall Pines in the mid-1970s as summer camp counselors, neither imagined the Y would become a lifelong thread in their story.

During college, Jim worked summers at the camp. Mary joined as a counselor, and one summer, they worked together at Tall Pines. The friendship they forged proved extraordinarily enduring. When they married 46 years ago, Jim's best man and Mary's
matron of honor were fellow camp counselors.

"Those summers at camp were transformative," Jim said. "The relationships we built and the experiences were truly meaningful."

The Y's values of community service and youth development carried over into their professional lives—Jim's banking career and Mary's work as an elementary school teacher. Throughout the decades, the Y has remained central to their lives. Their sons, Mark and David, grew up taking swimming lessons, attending camp, and playing soccer and flag football, continuing the connection.

Today, Mary and Jim remain actively engaged at the Superior YMCA in their retirement. Mary serves as a water exercise and fitness instructor, continuing the spirit of community that first drew her to camp counseling. Jim takes full advantage of the many classes offered to stay active.

"The Y has been about community for us," Mary said. "As an instructor, I get to welcome people into that community and support their wellness journey."

When Mary and Jim recently updated their estate plan to include the Y, it felt natural and essential.

Their letter of intent designates Camp Tall Pines and the Superior YMCA as beneficiaries, ensuring that future generations can experience the transformative power of the Y programs.

"We continue to receive wonderful benefits from this organization," Jim said. "The Y gave us meaningful work, lasting friendships, and experiences that became part of our shared story."

The timing reflects their enthusiasm for the newly formed Lake Superior YMCA, which unified branches across Superior, Duluth, Hermantown, and Cook County.

"We want to show our support for this new chapter," Jim said. "The integration strengthens the Y's ability to serve the entire region, and we're particularly excited to support Will Robinson as the new Executive Director of the Superior branch."

For Mary and Jim, this legacy gift honors their values—a welcoming community, youth development, and the belief that the Y changes lives.

“The Y has been there for us at different stages of our lives," Mary said. "Now we want to help be there for the Y and the many people whose lives will be shaped by these experiences, as ours were.”

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