YMCA of South Palm Beach County Launches Fast-Track Giving Campaign To Raise $561,000

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Oct. 10, 2018 - PRLog -- To support thousands of "561" residents of all ages and backgrounds struggling to reach their full potential, the YMCA of South Palm Beach County has kicked off its year-end fast-track "Change a Life" Giving Campaign to fund financial assistance scholarships. With YMCA-SPBC Board Member Beth Johnston at the helm serving as the 2018 Giving Campaign Chair, a motivated crew of donors, volunteers, employees, members and corporate and philanthropic partners are committed to surpassing the "561" campaign goal of $561,000 in just 56 days.

End-of-Year, Holiday-Timed Gifting Campaign Funding Drives a Stronger Community

Recognized as a positive force and an impactful "community hub" for 46 years, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization drives financial aid funding in countdown to the holiday season to ensure that no family or individual in need of services and programs is turned away. Continually taking on the challenges that shape the community's future, the Y, through its Giving Campaign, provides those with financial hardship the same opportunity as all Y members to be healthy and thrive, connect with others and contribute to a better community.

"From tackling the achievement gap to teaching healthy habits for a lifetime and giving people the chance to strengthen their community through volunteering, everything the Y does is in service of 'building a better us'," shared 2018 Campaign Chair Johnston who reports that one in four YMCA-SPBC members receive some type of financial assistance that crosses all ages, race, ethnicity, social-economic and language barriers. "Since we believe everyone has the power to make their lives and community better, the Y opens its doors to all—no matter who they are, where they come from or their ability to pay."

Monies "Donated for" the 561, "Stay in" the South County 561

Because 100 percent of dollars contributed to the YMCA's Giving Campaign is restricted solely for scholarships, not funding administration or operations budgets, donors will be making an immediate and lasting impact on their neighbors, colleagues, employees.  According to Johnston, the energized campaign drivers are teaming up to host fundraising events and launch phone brigades, while individually inviting friends, family and colleagues to experiential IMPACT Day tours and sharing the Y story with their employers.

When Those "in the 561" Give, Their Community Gets

"Every day, our community faces new challenges that create a greater need for the work we do," noted Jason Hagensick, president and CEO of the YMCA-SPBC that is comprised of: the Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton, the Devos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach, the Schmidt Family YMCA Preschool at the Volen Center and the YMCA@901 NCCI. "More and more children face seemingly insurmountable learning gaps and families find it difficult to spend quality time together. People are not connected to their neighbors and face-time happens through a phone. And instead of seeing the income gap shrink, it seems all we do is watch it grow."
Funds raised through campaign efforts will enable the Y to provide increased access to successful programs that reach more people who need them, with a focus on the most vulnerable communities. These include helping children and teens develop self-confidence, character, values and leadership skills through innovative and nurturing youth programs and creating communities that support healthy living. This involves addressing childhood obesity and chronic disease from children to seniors and supporting their physical, intellectual and spiritual strength.

Scholarships to the Y's transformational programs include Water Safety and Drowning Prevention programs, Chase's Place for special needs individuals, Teen Leadership Programs, Youth Sports and Programs (Pre-K, Elementary, Middle and High School), Y Bikes, summer camps including specialty camps such as the STEAM Caridad summer camp. Other life-changing Y offerings include its newly launched LiveSTRONG, a 12-week exercise program to help cancer survivors regain their strength after cancer treatment, its diabetes six-week self-management course and the collaboration it has with the National Parkinson's Foundation of South Palm Beach County to offer Surf & Turf, a program focused on delaying the onset of symptoms of the disease.

This Time of Year is When Gift Giving Can Truly "Change a Life" Forever

As 2018 comes to a close, Johnston reports that the "Y's dedicated campaigners are reaching out to everyone they know asking for the Y's Giving Campaign to be included on their personal and corporate holiday lists. Even a small amount can go a long way for a family or individual."

Last year, the South Palm Beach County's Y Giving Campaign raised $542,586, which enabled the social services nonprofit to provide programs such as sports, after-school and preschool to those in need. Through this year's campaign, the Y hopes to impact the lives of even more children, adults and seniors through membership and programs.

To learn more about how you can support the Y and its 2018 Giving Campaign, please contact Kimberley Trombly-Burmeister at ktburmeister@ymcaspbc.org  or visit www.ymcaspbc.org/give  for more information.