The McArthur Family YMCA honored the memory of a local philanthropist on Saturday. Friends, family, community leaders, YMCA staff, board members and volunteers gathered at the to dedicate the gymnasium to the memory of David Berkman.
The McArthur YMCA humbly accepted an extraordinary financial gift from Betty Berkman, David’s wife of 68 years, when she learned plans to expand youth programs at the YMCA had been on hold for a number of years. She knew she had an opportunity to honor her late husband as another example of David Berkman’s commitment to serve children, families and the community he loved.
“Your generosity in ensuring David’s legacy lives on within our community and the YMCA will make a lasting difference in the lives of so many children and their families in Nassau County,” said Penny Zuber, executive vice president and chief financial officer of First Coast YMCA. “The David Berkman Gymnasium marks a significant time in the history of the McArthur YMCA. We are so excited about the future of the YMCA and the opportunity we have to serve more youth, adults and families. May David’s passion for encouraging youth to grow and thrive continue to resonate here at the McArthur YMCA for generations to come.”
David Berkman died on Sept. 3, 2021, after a courageous 10-year battle with lung cancer. For more than 60 years, he built an extremely successful real estate business in the Southeast. With his success, he believed in giving back. He was a generous donor and saw giving back as an opportunity to do something meaningful for the community he had grown to love as his home.
Cezar Gonzalez, district executive director of the McArthur Family YMCA and YMCA at Wildlight, on behalf of First Coast YMCA and the McArthur Family YMCA, unveiled a plaque with the likeness of David Berkman that will be hung outside the entrance to the gymnasium.
“David would be very happy,” said Betty Berkman. “Anything that had to do with kids and families, David was always right there.”
Included in the David Berkman Gymnasium dedication was Mayor of Fernandina Beach Bradley Bean, who spoke briefly about childhood memories of playing basketball in the gym.
“We’ve been playing youth basketball in this gym for a long time,” said Bradley Bean. “This is where I played basketball. This gym has been revamped and revitalized and is another place that makes Fernandina Beach such a great place to live. Mrs. Berkman, thank you so much.”
Congressman Aaron Bean attended the event and shared a story of what it was like to work out at the Y when it existed in only modular buildings.
“We never envisioned we would serve this many people,” said congressman Bean.
Not only was the history of the YMCA reminisced, but plans were unveiled for the upcoming expansions to the McArthur YMCA with the help of the donation from the Berkman’s to kick off the newly announced capital campaign.
“The new expanded building is a tool to deliver the mission of the YMCA not to turn anyone away because of the inability to pay or the inability to participate. We are working with key members of the community to make this vision a reality,” said Gonzalez.
The expansions include a new aerobic room behind the David Berkman Gymnasium that will extend to the fence line. The Hang Time room, which is on the westside of the facility, will be transformed into a multi-generational space for teens and seniors to gather for activities. A walkway will be added along the pool so participants don’t get caught interrupting activities in the gym to get back into the facility during inclement weather. A family changing room is planned along with 30 new parking spaces.
“Creating a future for our families and our community and through the power of philanthropy, Betty, we are very blessed to have you as a part of this,” said Gonzalez.
Included with the plaque presented to Betty Berkman with the name of the newly dedicated gym as the David Berkman Gymnasium, Gonzalez presented a basketball jersey and a small stature of a child engaged in a cartwheel activity, both from the children who participate at the YMCA as tokens of their appreciation.
“Your support Betty is an investment to our community now and into the future,” said Zuber. “Thank you so much for this investment. It is a testament to the incredible things that can happen when people come together with a shared vision for a better future. We are profoundly grateful. Thank you so much.”
To be a part of the continuing growth, visit https://fcymca.org/locations/mcarthur-family-ymca/