“I feel extremely fortunate for the joy they have brought my whole family.” -Leigh Petri
Bob Collins first got involved with the YMCA in 1955 at the old Y on Main Street in Buffalo. He says he enjoyed playing volleyball, and his children participated in the gymnastics program. Today, Bob and his wife June are active members of the Independent Health Family Branch YMCA.
As a retired engineer, Bob enjoys woodworking and often creates wood toys and puzzles in his spare time. Now, he shares his creations with children at the Y. “Mostly I make my puzzles for my grandchildren, but I give some of them to mothers to pass on to their children,” says Bob. He says it’s a nice way to meet other families, and he enjoys seeing pictures of the kids playing with the puzzles. It means a lot to their parents, too. “My husband Mike and I have enjoyed doing these puzzle challenges with our children and we feel very blessed to have Bob and June thinking of us,” says Leigh Petri, the Collins’ group exercise instructor at the Y. “I feel extremely fortunate for the joy they have brought to my whole family.”
“I am honored to teach them weekly in my Silversneakers classes,” Leigh continues. “They are a complete picture of what wellness looks like. Not only do they eat healthy and exercise, but they project positivity, love, caring, faith, and strength that is truly inspirational.”