Membership Special

15th Anniversary Membership Special

September 1-18 | Every day

We’re celebrating 15 years of community impact, and you’re invited to be part of the next chapter!

Take advantage of our biggest anniversary membership offer of the year:

  • Save Over $300 on a Family Membership
  • Save 15% on Adult & Golden Ager Memberships

Join the Kroc community and celebrate 15 years of building stronger families and a stronger community.


15th Anniversary Krocfest

15th Anniversary Kroc Fest

September 12 | 10am-1pm

Celebrate 15 incredible years of community, impact, and fun at the Kroc Center! Bring the whole family and enjoy an afternoon packed with delicious food, exciting activities, games, and plenty of picture-perfect moments.

🍔 Food Trucks: MunchboxPetite PancakesQuincy Fizz Co., & Smoothie King!

🎈Family Fun: Bounce house, foam machine, gaga ball pit, bubbles, face painting by Fabulous Faces & giant games will be ready for your enjoyment!

📸 Capture the Memories: Glam-Booth by Little Doves Portrait Studio will be ready to capture the fun!

🚶‍♂️Facility Tours: Want to see what all the Kroc has to offer? Free facility tours at 10am, 11am and noon. Stop by the Welcome Desk!

🔥 Explore Local: Booths will be set up during the event so you can check out local businesses such as Nutrition HQ, Clean Eatz, and Running Wild.

We would love for you to join us in saying cheers to 15 years. See you soon!

Click here to visit our KrocFest Facebook event!


Join the 15 for 15 Challenge!


Kroc History

Over the past 15 years, the Kroc Center has planted a community in Quincy. For many, the Kroc is the root of community, fitness, well-being, or simply a place to escape. The Kroc Center began to plant its roots long before then, as conversations surrounding the Kroc began in September 2004, opening almost seven years to the date of the Letter of Intent.

Timeline of how we got here:
  1. September 10, 2004 – Quincy prepares and submits a Letter of Intent to THQ – Major Ralph Bukiewicz to build a Kroc Center.
  2. January 5, 2005 – Letter sent to Advisory Board notifying them of a news conference to take place Jan. 7, 2005 to announce that Quincy is one of 10 of 40 Salvation Army units in our territory chosen to proceed to the next phase.
  3. April 2005 – Salvation Army now owns the entire block from Broadway to Vermont and 4th & 5th St.
  4. May 9, 2005 – Demolition begins on remaining properties.
  5. November 8, 2005 – All buildings on our block have been demolished except for the corps building.
  6. November 2, 2009 – Groundbreaking finally takes place.
  7. August 2011 – Move into the Quincy Kroc Center.
  8. September 18, 2011 – Grand Opening!

Although the timeline is condensed, it shows how thorough the process was in building the Kroc. Every detail was planned and made to serve generations. The Kroc Center has maintained its shine, whether it’s literal or just in the community. We are so proud of what the Kroc Center has become over the past 15 years, and we look forward to many more!


15 Years, Countless Memories

For 15 years, the Kroc Center has been a place where families have grown, friendships have formed, goals have been achieved, and memories have been made. As we celebrate this milestone, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite Kroc memory, tell us what the Kroc means to you, or let us know why you keep coming back.

Throughout our anniversary celebration, we’ll collect stories, memories, and reflections from members, guests, staff, and supporters and share them in a variety of ways.

Share your story below or during your next visit to the Kroc Center.

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Member Appreciation Week


Introducing 15 Stories for 15 Years!

Over the past 15 years, the Kroc Center has been shaped by members, families, and employees who have helped build our community. As part of our anniversary celebration, we’re sharing some of the stories that make the Kroc such a special place.

Meet employees who have served since opening day and members whose lives have been changed through their Kroc experience. Check back often as we continue adding stories throughout our 15th Anniversary celebration.

Ryan Pabisiak

Personal Trainer

Pam Eldridge

Membership Systems Coordinator

Maria Bichsel

Group Fitness Instructor

Nanette Johnson

Aquatics Manager

Krista Rankin

Charter Member

Jan Hummel

Charter Member

Morgan Thorsen

Kroc Member

Dave Williams

Kroc Member

Mary Larocco

Kroc Member

Esther Strosaker

Child Watch Attendant


15 Years of Service:

Pam Eldridge

Membership Systems Coordinator

Pam is our Membership Systems Coordinator, who is most likely a familiar face to anyone who passes the Welcome Desk. We are taking the opportunity to give her special praise, as she has been here for 15 years. When asked what has motivated her to stay at the Kroc for 15 years, this is what she had to say:

“Being here for 15 years sure has shown me a lot of faces. I have met wonderful friends through
my time here. At the desk, it is a very natural environment to engage in conversations and learn
more about the people around you. Some of my very favorite people are those who I have met
through here.”

Oftentimes, experiences are what makes something so special, especially at the Kroc. Whether
it’s the people you have met, the classes you take, or simply being able to walk into the building
for the first time, there’s always an experience waiting for you. But for Pam, it’s the exciting
Christmas season that always has its place between the Kroc Center and The Salvation Army.

“The Kroc Center is a magical place to be around Christmas time. Once November hits, we are
full steam ahead for Christmas in preparation for Angel Tree. It has been amazing to see all the
different roles that play into the Angel Tree program. I have helped families pick out tags to shop
for others, been a shopper myself, but the best is distribution day! It is probably one of the
happiest days in our building.”

Sometimes, it feels like people were meant for their career, which is something you could say
about Pam. She is great at her job, and we are very lucky she has chosen to stay with us for 15
years.

“You have to feel like you are in the right spot when the staff around you appreciate and support
the mission. Each department has its own unique way to support the Salvation Army mission.
We are truly able to meet the needs of those who enter our building, which is so beautiful. I have
just recently stepped into a new position and am excited to see what a positive impact I can
have through it. I feel that the knowledge and experience I have here allows me to lead and give
guidance to those just joining our team.”

Moving forward, and looking well into the future, we asked our staff where they see themselves
within the next 15 years, which has resulted in amazing responses. Sometimes, the future can
be daunting, especially when 15 years is the topic at hand. But Pam had a response that we
couldn’t help but admire.

“I will probably still be here. Hopefully with double the experiences, memories, and stories to
share! It may be a different position at that time, but hopefully one that I will still be able to work
with our patrons.”

If you see Pam around the Kroc, don’t be afraid to say hello. She is an instrumental reason for
the Kroc’s success in Quincy, and we couldn’t thank her more for her 15 years of service.

Happy 15th Anniversary, Pam!

Nanette Johnson

Aquatics Manager

Nanette has made a splash at the Kroc just by being here for 15 years. Nanette is our Aquatics Manager, someone who is a familiar face to many people at the Kroc. Her love for being by the water and representing her faith is something to admire, which is why it’s so important to highlight her during our anniversary!

Nanette’s faith guides her in every aspect of life, which includes her career. When asked why she chose the Kroc 15 years ago, she noted her faith while remaining true to her roots. 

“Looking for a job that would let me live out my faith while going back to my roots of aquatics and finding out The Salvation Army was building a pool, it was just a good fit for me”.

Creating a baseline for what you want out of your career can be hard, especially when you want to fulfill pieces of your life that are so important to you as a person. Nanette has shown that, even throughout 15 years, this can be absolutely possible to fulfill.

Sometimes your career can be fulfilled in the most unexpected of ways, and that is through the people you work with. Nanette oversees many young individuals, most of whom just so happen to be lifeguards!

“Getting to meet them at 15 and being with them till 21, or older from time to time, it’s like having a youth group or small group within where I work, so I have the opportunity to be a part of their lives and they also pour back into my life”.

You don’t have to work here to feel the impact that the Kroc Center leaves on the community. Sometimes it’s the people who come here every day, the classes, the community, or simply lights shining from the building to make our community feel safe.

This story comes from a boy who attended the Kroc with his grandmother, and they lived nearby, showing that the Kroc has shone in many ways to this little boy. The lights provided him a sense of safety whenever he would walk with his grandma to get groceries in the evening. Only emphasizing that the community shines bright at the Kroc Center. 

“For him to feel safe because of the lights, is my favorite story because it shows that even the lights from the Kroc Center shine into the community and makes a big difference”.

When asked what the next 15 years will look like for Nanette, she offered an answer that makes us excited for what she’s going to do next. 

“Having already been here for 15 years and being a part of the community, I would hope I would have another 15 years left in me that I can continue to give back and be a part of the community”.

When you see Nanette around, say hi! She fearlessly leads such an amazing part of our facility, and we are so lucky to have her. Happy 15 years, Nanette!

Ryan Pabisiak

Personal Trainer

Many people view the Kroc Center as just a gym, but that isn’t always true. The Kroc is the center of the community for many people, and our gym happens to be a perk. It seems like Ryan comes with the gym atmosphere, as he has been a personal trainer here since we started 15 years ago.

When asking Ryan why he chose the Kroc 15 years ago, he mentioned the fitness aspect, but also being able to live out his faith in his career.

“The Kroc Center offered a larger opportunity to have a larger clientele. I was also attracted to the Christian aspect of the Kroc Center and The Salvation Army. The facility was beautiful with all the natural light, it was just a nice place to work”.

Faith is a leading reason for a few of our employees. To be able to live out one’s faith, even in one’s career, is something many people don’t get to experience. Luckily, here at the Kroc, it’s a monument for providing a sense of community. 

There’s a large range of ages amongst our members at the Kroc, which Ryan gets to see firsthand, especially as a personal trainer.

“I love what I do. I love seeing the transformation in clients, going from couch to possibly the best fitness level they’ve ever been at. I try to train all types of fitness, which has kept me going over the years. If you have the will, there’s a way. So I like coaching and educating clients into this transformation”.

Fitness can be a task for many individuals, simply because they don’t know where to start. Ryan offers members a chance to break through the fear and to move forward in efforts to get their fitness journey started on the right foot.

When asked what the next 15 years will look like, Ryan made it known that fitness will always be a part of his life, even when retirement rings.

“The next 15 years is a no-brainer, fitness will always be a motivator, and I would love to take this career all the way into retirement. I see myself sticking with being a personal trainer, because I think if you enjoy what you do, work isn’t work because I enjoy what I do daily”.

To say you enjoy what you do is such a blessing, especially at your job. Ryan’s passion for fitness is something to admire, and it’s even more admirable that it extends to his professional life. Ryan will certainly continue to be a familiar face at the Kroc, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him and his fitness lifestyle. 

Happy 15 years, Ryan!

Maria Bichsel

Fitness Instructor

The idea of community has continued to thrive at the Kroc, which has offered relationships to be built or maintained, especially when it’s a family affair. The Bichsels are a unit at the Kroc and know exactly how to get a good workout into your routine. Maria, one of our Group Fitness Instructors, has been at the Kroc for 15 years, making her a landmark in what makes the Kroc Center so special to many.

“I chose the Kroc 15 years ago mainly because it was brand new, it was exciting. I knew there would be opportunity for me here that I hadn’t found before,” Maria said.

The fitness doesn’t stop with Maria, though, as two of her daughters, Paige and Sophia, also teach group fitness at the Kroc. The combined talent of these three ladies is something to admire, and catching a group fitness class led by the three of them only attests to that.  

Growing up doing something you love, while getting to fulfill that in your adult years is a dream for many. The Bichsels are just lucky enough to fulfill that lifestyle in their work nearly every day, while creating a family of people who all come to the Kroc for the same reason. But what is it that keeps them coming back?

“So many things have kept me here, but I would have to say it’s the members, the feeling of them being a part of my family, because they’ve been around as long as my kids have been around and they all know my kids. We created a new community here with them, we’ve been through life experiences together, and they’ve supported us through the weddings, the funerals, and we’re thankful to have that,” said Maria. 

The time that goes into the workouts extends beyond their time at the Kroc and has provided a lasting impact in their everyday lives. Just because this is a job they come to doesn’t mean it has to feel like a job, but instead a passion. 

“It’s not just ‘I’m here to do my job’, and then leave. These are my people and I love to be here,” said Sophia. 

“It’s always been so much more than a gym, from the moment you walk in it doesn’t feel like you’re walking in just to get your workout done. You’re walking in to see your family, and I think that’s especially true for us as we get to spend time together,” said Paige. 

“It helps me to be able to get down on the floor with my granddaughter, and do the things that I want to do. It’s much more than just a job, it’s my entertainment, it makes me happy, and I don’t know what I would do without it,” said Maria.

Beyond what the Kroc has to offer for classes, there’s a family that has been built just by people working out together. They all come to the Kroc Center for a similar reason, but choose to stay because of the community that continues to flourish within the walls of the facility. For Maria, this job continues to be something she is proud of, as she continues her love for fitness while standing alongside her daughters in the process. 

“I feel very privileged to be able to work beside my daughters, it’s a privilege to be able to stand in front of the room where people trust us and believe in us, and I don’t know where else you can get that,” said Maria.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these lovely ladies. Happy 15 years, Maria!

Esther

Child Watch Attendant

A hidden gem in the Kroc Center is Huck’s Hideout, a childcare option for members who may want to take a quick workout class, swim, or just have some time to enjoy the Kroc while their kids can socialize!

Another hidden gem of ours is Esther, one of our child watch attendants. Her love for kids isn’t something to brush over, as she is such an important reason for Huck’s having the environment it has. Her background in education and childcare is something she has carried through every stage of her life, professional or not, as she comes from a family of educators herself.

When asked why she chose the Kroc 15 years ago, she mentioned her experience in education, but also wanting something more after she had finished her career as a teacher, which led her to become a familiar face in Huck’s Hideout.

“This is where I’ve enjoyed it the most, I love the kids. You never know what they’re going to say”.

Esther noted that what has kept her here for 15 years is everything that comes with her position. Meeting the kids, meeting their parents, the family that naturally forms at the Kroc, and getting to see the kids come back, just a little taller and wiser. When asked about what she loves about the Kroc, this is what she had to say.

“Everything. The parents, you get really acquainted with them, and it’s like family, and the kids, seeing them grow up from being little to high school level, it’s interesting. The people I work with, it’s a community. My husband passed away 13 years ago, so it’s been good for me to have that”.

The community that drives itself at the Kroc is so important to staff and members alike, and it shows through the testimonials from the individuals interviewed for our anniversary. Making a difference within your community is something that many people value, one of those people being Esther. 

“It’s fun to see the growth from when they first started to when they finally go off to school. I think that’s just feeling like you made a difference”.

Esther is someone who will make you smile amidst conversation, and she is a hidden gem at the Kroc. Esther is on her way to retirement at the end of September, and we will definitely miss her.

Happy 15th anniversary, and happy retirement, Esther!
Member Stories:

Krista Rankin

Charter Member

One thing we are always grateful for is the members who choose to come to our facility and continue to support us! There’s a group of individuals who have been here since the beginning, 15 years ago, who are called charter members. We are incredibly thankful for their support, and we wanted to show our appreciation by giving them the spotlight during our 15th anniversary!

Krista and her husband have been members since we opened back in 2011. You will often see the two of them around the Kroc or at Kroc-related festivities, and we are so thankful for their unwavering support of our facility and our mission. But what made them choose the Kroc as their gym?

“I was able to come and tour the facility before it was even open, and it was beautiful. I needed to find a place to start exercising, and it was such a beautiful place I couldn’t resist coming”.

Sometimes you choose a gym, and it’s just a gym. You go in, work out, and leave. But that doesn’t seem to be the case at the Kroc Center. Community runs deep, and the people you meet can be your next family, which can be true just by attending a fitness class. 

“You get to become, not only friends, but almost a Kroc family with each person you workout with. Everybody is a part of the family and you care about each other. It’s more than coming and working out physically, there’s also the spiritual side which I think is really a positive”.

Krista is a known face in the Kroc community, and we are lucky to have her. Especially because of her involvement, aka her becoming a fill-in fitness instructor. She flies above member status and is someone we can always count on. Needless to say, she is a part of the Kroc family. 

“I have joined the auxiliary, and I have also become an employee part-time, filling in for exercise classes in the pool. I spend all my weekday mornings here at the Kroc, and I enjoy it. It’s a family”.

We can absolutely agree with Krista; it is a family! When we get to see the fitness classes firsthand, the energy and support for one another are always infectious. Each person in the room joins for a common purpose, but they stay to keep that family feeling intact.

Krista is such an amazing individual, and we can’t thank her enough for her support over the past 15 years. We hope to see her for many more years to come, and we are honored that she chose the Kroc, even before we opened the doors 15 years ago.

Happy 15 years to the Rankins!

Jan Hummel

Charter Member

One thing we are always grateful for is the members who choose to come to our facility and continue to support us! There’s a group of individuals who have been here since the beginning, 15 years ago, who are called charter members. We are incredibly thankful for their support, and we wanted to show our appreciation by giving them the spotlight during our 15th anniversary!

Jan is an important individual at the Kroc Center because she is one of our charter members! She has continued to come to the Kroc Center for 15 years now, which we are always grateful for. To be able to say you have been coming to the same facility for 15 years is so special, and we are so lucky to have members who can say that! When asking Jan what brought her to the Kroc, this is what she had to say.

“I was a nurse at the Adams County Health Department, which was just across the street. I watched the building being built and was given the opportunity to become a charter member, and thought ‘sure why not, I might exercise a little!’”. 

Even a small opportunity like that can grow into something so much more, which is so apparent in Jan’s story. Although the plan was to just exercise a little, her plans changed to attending workout classes and becoming a part of a community that is so prominent in the Kroc Center. 

“The people, and especially the instructors have helped me to find a community. I had just retired, and being a Public Health Nurse, I was around people all the time. I needed that kind of camaraderie, and I found a lot of people I knew. I started taking Zumba classes, and loved it right away. I love to dance, but have two left feet but as Maria always says, ‘you can’t Zumba wrong’”.

Fitness classes often seem to be the source of community at the Kroc, and it shows through our members’ and staff’s testimonials. It doesn’t matter how or when you find the Kroc; there’s always a community that will have your back.

“As many of us have been, we have been through trying times in our lives and I have a community of people that care about me, and I know that. I know that there’s prayers when I need them, and I’m also there for them. And it’s fun, I enjoy coming and it always makes me feel better psychologically and physically”.

The benefits to being a part of the Kroc community are abundant, and Jan is only one example of why that is true. It’s only possible through the support that is shown every day at the Kroc, and we are thankful for the atmosphere that has been continuously uplifted by members and staff alike. 

Happy 15 years, Jan!

Dave Williams

Member

If you’ve been to the Kroc, especially as a walker, you know Dave. He seemingly knows everyone at the Kroc and continues to be a familiar face to both staff and members. He has shown that the Kroc can be more than a gym; it’s a community. 

Dave started coming to the Kroc roughly eight years ago, which is when he started his fitness journey. He noted the friendly and welcoming staff, the clean facility, and what makes the Kroc so special to him. 

“I come here, and the people who work here are absolutely stellar. Everybody here does an excellent job, but the unsung heroes in this whole facility are the custodians. They keep this place looking tall, it’s always clean”.

As Dave walks his path nearly every day, he notices the fine details in our facility and offers praise whenever he’s asked about it. The Kroc is held to a high standard, which we can say Dave certainly recognizes. The high standards don’t stop at how the facility looks, though, it extends to how our staff helps make an impact in our facility.

“The attendants are always very friendly. I like the programs with Jill about dietary stuff; I share books with Cassie, and she shares books with me, and I’ve done a HIIT program with Kristin. Those are the things that make this place a part of an upstanding community”.

Oftentimes, it’s the community that’s built around you that offers the best support in your journey. Whether that journey is fitness or not, your community is waiting for you at the Kroc Center to help make a lasting impact.

Dave is an excellent example of what putting yourself and your fitness first can do. The Kroc continues to be a pillar in many people’s lives, as they continue to find a community within the walls here at the Kroc.

Morgan Thorsen

Member

For many members, the Kroc is more than a gym. It’s a place that offers child care, swim lessons, or just a change of scenery for their little ones. This is especially true for Morgan, a mother of five kids whom she homeschools as well.

She utilizes Huck’s Hideout while she teaches school lessons to her kids, and utilizes swim lessons for her kids’ PE time! The Kroc provides her kids an opportunity to learn and have some fun, which we are proud to say they take part in.

“I chose the Kroc for the availability of swim lessons, and the instructors are awesome. I also really like Huck’s Hideout, and being able to put my kids in there so I can workout, take a shower, and get some work done of my own. Everyone is just so friendly and welcoming”. 

Morgan has made an effort to prioritize her own needs, while still offering her kids a chance to grow. The Kroc helps house those efforts, whenever she wants to take a deserved workout or break to get her tasks done as well. 

It doesn’t matter how old you are, as the Kroc caters to every age, especially little ones! Morgan’s kids utilize most services that are provided for Youth, and they’re prime examples of why we offer things such as Huck’s Hideout!

“As a homeschool mom, the Kroc has really been a great blessing and a benefit because I can bring my kids even in the mornings during the school year and put them in Huck’s Hideout while I take a fitness class”.

Huck’s Hideout often feels like a hidden gem within the Kroc, as it tends to lay low while providing some of the best care to the little ones who walk through the doors. Since Morgan is a homeschool mom, Huck’s is a helpful resource for her and her children, no matter the circumstance.

“I can put the youngest of my five kids in Huck’s Hideout, and keep the older ones out so we can find a quiet place to work. We can just do some school and have a change of scenery for a little while, it’s really just been a great resource to me to be able to come here. I have seen a benefit to my homeschooling through the Kroc”.

“We have just really appreciated the community here, and them welcoming us and giving us these resources”. 

The community at the Kroc is designed to welcome anyone with open arms. There’s always a place for you here, which Morgan has shown by taking time to homeschool her kids within the facility, and it is welcomed! Stories like these always make our hearts happy, and we are so proud to be a part of this amazing community.

Mary Larocco

Member

Fitness has the potential to change someone’s life, even in the most unexpected ways. For Mary, this rings true, and she can absolutely speak on this. Having an oxygen tank and a walker didn’t stop Mary from taking charge of her fitness and well-being, and the results are more than fascinating. 

Oftentimes we take things for granted, but Mary found a way to break through that mindset and ensure that she had healthy years ahead. 

“I’ve lost over 100 pounds since I started, and I’m able to do more movements. I’m able to do more than I used to, I do 25 laps three days a week”.

Admittedly, 25 laps in one go around seems like a task. But to Mary, it’s just what she does to help her movement and continue a healthy lifestyle. A couple of times a week, you can find Mary in water fitness classes, and she is killing it!

“I was on oxygen at the time, I was on it 24/7. But I still came everyday and exercised in the pool. I was able to put my tank on the side of the pool and exercise by myself or sometimes I had friends coming to exercise with me”.

The community of people that are willing to help you in your fitness journey is right within the Kroc doors, and they’re willing to be there every step of the way.

“Using the water exercises, I have been able to move around a lot more freely. The difference between before and after of my movement is wonderful, I just started to learn how to do stairs again, and I’m able to walk around without the aid of anything”.

Mary’s story has so much impact, and we are so proud of her progress. We are so lucky that we have gotten to see her journey; she is someone to admire, as nothing has held her back. She is walking proof that an oxygen tank and a walker shouldn’t stop you from achieving your fitness goals.