At least five days a week, sometimes six, you can find Tino in the warm pool, walking laps and strengthening his muscles in preparation for a knee and hip replacement. Tino began using the warm pool while in physical therapy and when that finished in January, he joined the Y to work out on his own. "This pool makes it possible for me to do things I couldn't do on land," he says.
He says everyone is friendly and encouraging from the desk staff to the lifeguards to the other members. "Coming to the Y makes my day better." He was using some equipment one day and a piece tore, which gave Tino an idea. He created some replacement "foam logs" out of pool noodles, and has donated at least 20 volunteer hours since then, crafting these much used and appreciated pieces of exercise equipment.
Tino said he donates his time this way because he appreciates the warm pool and how helpful it's been to him. Plus, he says with a grin, "it brings good karma."