A Place to Belong: Brett’s YMCA Story Comes Full Circle

Brett’s YMCA story began in 1970 on the football fields of the former Southeast Dallas YMCA. But for him, those early practices weren’t just about football — they were about building character, connection, and community. “It wasn’t just a sport, it was the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the Y,” he says.

That connection deepened in 1976–77, when Brett began volunteering alongside his father, coaching his younger brother’s team. After trying out other youth organizations that didn’t quite feel like home, the family returned to the YMCA, where Brett’s father led a team from the Buckner Terrace area. That season ended in an unforgettable trip to the Turkey Bowl championship in San Antonio — and further rooted the Y in Brett’s life.

In 1979, the Packer family moved to Rockwall and found themselves embraced by yet another vibrant YMCA community. Brett’s father continued coaching, passing on to Brett the values of teamwork, service, and camaraderie — values that would shape his future in more ways than one. 

Years of Service, Generations of Impact

Two decades later, in 2000, Brett stepped into a new role of service by joining the Board of Management at the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA. YMCA leader Larry Parks had encouraged him to get involved, and that invitation marked the beginning of over 25 years of ongoing leadership and commitment to the Y.

“I learned the value of community service by working alongside others,” Brett shares. “Whether it’s coaching, serving crawfish with the board, or launching a new capital campaign, it’s about showing up and meeting the needs of our neighbors.”

Today, Brett’s family represents four generations of YMCA involvement. His daughters made lifelong memories at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce — one even caught her very first fish there. His grandson, Luke, who is on the autism spectrum, found not just a safe space, but a welcoming one. “It’s a place where kids like Luke can feel included,” Brett says. “The Y helps him interact with others, and that’s so meaningful for us as a family.”

Looking Ahead with Heart and Purpose

Now, Brett is helping lead the next chapter — including the creation of a Legacy Wall to honor those who helped build the Rockwall YMCA from the ground up. From the women in the 1960s who dreamed of a safe place for kids, to the ‘Founders’ who brought the YMCA to Rockwall in the 1970s, to the ‘Builders’ of the 1980s who secured land, funding, and constructed the facilities we use today, to today’s ‘Sustainers’ who are carrying the mission forward—the wall will remind future generations of the foundation they are building upon.

As the YMCA prepares for its next chapter, Brett is once again stepping up to ensure it continues to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.

“We’re one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and this renovation is about keeping up with our community’s needs,” he explains. “We don’t want to turn anyone away. We want every family to find belonging here.”

For Brett, the Y is more than a facility — it’s a living community. “You walk in and someone smiles, someone asks about your day. That’s rare. And that’s what makes the Chilton YMCA special.”

His message to donors is clear: “You’re not just funding a building — you’re investing in future leaders, in families, in a place rooted in Christian values where people are truly valued.”