Bob Lombardi Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund
A LEGACY OF SUPPORT FOR WAUKESHA’S YOUTH
At the heart of the Waukesha YMCA, we believe in the power of community and in the transformative potential of our youth. The Bob Lombardi Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund embodies these values, and it’s our privilege to invite you to be part of this remarkable journey.
Here, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by contributing to a scholarship fund that opens doors to a safe and inclusive community at the Waukesha YMCA. This fund is a tribute to a man named Bob Lombardi, whose lifelong dedication to our organization and unwavering belief in the potential of every young individual have left an enduring mark.
Whether you’re here to donate, apply for a scholarship, or simply explore the inspiring history of Bob, you’re taking a step toward a brighter future. Join us in celebrating his legacy, empowering our youth, and shaping the story of tomorrow.
Apply for the scholarship
If you’re a young person ages 12-17 residing in Waukesha or know someone who fits this description, this scholarship is a life-changing opportunity. It offers a one-year membership to the Waukesha YMCA, from January 1 – December 31, 2024.
- Eligibility: To qualify, applicants must be between 12-17 years of age and residents of the city or village of Waukesha.
- Nominate or Apply: You can either nominate a deserving candidate or apply directly. Nominations can be made by community representatives, teachers, guidance counselors, or coaches with parent consent.
- Application Deadline: Friday, December 1, 2023, is the final day to apply. Please ensure your submission is received via the online application, sent by email to [email protected], or postmarked no later than December 1, 2023, if you choose to mail a paper form.
For detailed application instructions and requirements, please refer to the Application Form.
Donate to Transform Lives
Your support is the key to transformation. By giving to the Youth Scholarship Fund, you contribute to the success stories of young people in our community. Your generosity fund the scholarships that provide access to the Waukesha YMCA, where Waukesha youth can unlock their potential.
Bob Lombardi: Honoring a Lifelong Commitment to Empower Youth
Born and raised in Waukesha, Bob Lombardi graduated from Waukesha High School in 1954. At the age of seven, amidst financial hardships common to many families in Waukesha’s Italian neighborhoods, Bob received a youth membership to the YMCA. He fondly remembers the support he received from then YMCA Executive Director, Earl Lockman, and the Y itself. In his own words, the Y “kept me off the streets.”
This early connection to the YMCA ignited a lifelong commitment. Over his remarkable 81 years of membership, Bob not only volunteered extensively but also actively engaged with the community. He participated in the Indian Guides program with his three sons: David, Greg, and Jim. Furthermore, Bob lent his expertise as a coach in various YMCA programs, from baseball to basketball and elementary swim competitions.
Bob considered it a priority to invest in YMCA memberships for his loved ones and others in the community. He found immense satisfaction in contributing to the Annual Support Campaign and the Youth Membership Fund each year. To him, it was a way of paying it forward, echoing the generosity that had once touched his life. He shared, “I always felt that somebody sponsored me, and if I had extra money, I felt I should give it to a kid who needs it now. That’s just the way I feel.”
BOB IN THE NEWS
Waukesha YMCA Celebrates 77-Year Member Who Loves to Pay It Forward >
‘Makes you feel better:’ YMCA celebrates Waukesha man who has kept his fitness goals since 1942 >
