Jon Nelson is pictured during a visit to the Jamestown YMCA.

At 80 years old, Jon Nelson isn’t slowing down. A lifelong Jamestown resident, Jon has faced more than his share of physical challenges — including six joint replacements — but still shows up at the YMCA almost every morning.

“This place keeps me going,” Jon says simply. “If I had to do my rehab at home, I probably wouldn’t do it. But coming here — it gives me structure, accountability, and people.”

Jon’s connection to the Jamestown Area YMCA dates back nearly seven decades to when he was just a kid tagging along with his dad.

“I started coming with my dad when I was a kid,” Jon recalls. “There was a space just for kids to hang out, and before long, I was getting involved in activities and meeting people from all over.”

One of those early connections — with a Jamestown High School student named George Banks — left a lasting impression and helped Jon feel right at home.

Over the years, the Y became a constant in Jon’s life. He played handball for years before joint issues forced him to scale back. Now, his workouts are simpler — light cardio, walking, stretching — but they’re just as essential.

More than the equipment or the routines, though, it’s the people who keep Jon coming back.

“The girls at the front desk greet you with a smile. The members talk to each other. You walk in and you feel like someone’s happy to see you,” he says. “You don’t get that everywhere.”

He treasures the sense of community at the Jamestown Y. It’s where he’s built lifelong friendships, and where he continues to set goals — including traveling to play new golf courses and giving back to hospitals that have supported him.

When Jon turned 80 earlier this year, he said he felt something simple but meaningful: a desire to say thank you. He penned a four-page letter to the Y staff to demonstrate his appreciation.

“I just wanted to thank the people here who’ve made it feel like a second home,” Jon said. “The staff, the members — they’ve been part of my life for a long time.”

According to John Barber, Interim CEO of the Jamestown Area YMCA, Jon’s story perfectly illustrates the Y’s mission — one made possible through the association’s annual Partner With Youth campaign, which raises funds to ensure that individuals and families of all ages and income levels have access to YMCA programs and support.

“Stories like Jon’s remind us that the YMCA is here for everyone — not just kids, but older adults who are working to stay healthy and connected,” said Barber. “Partner With Youth helps us celebrate and sustain those stories. It ensures we can serve people at every stage of life and truly live out our mission in the community.”

Even as he reflects on the difficulty of outliving many of his peers, Jon says it’s places like the Y that give him purpose.

“You stay active, you stay connected,” he said. “That’s what the Y does — it keeps you living.”