YMCA kicks off 2009 campaign
NORWICH – The YMCA is a charitable organization, and the staff hopes community members will contribute to the Y during this year’s annual Reach Out To Your Community Campaign.
The YMCA’s annual support campaign is officially running now, and YMCA Executive Director James Mullen explained that while many do not realize it, the YMCA is a not-for-profit organization that provides a value to the community.
“The YMCA wears two hats,” Mullen said. He explained that one is the membership side of the organization, which provides programs and services to members. However, Mullen explained, that is only one part of what the YMCA does.
The YMCA also plays an active role in the community. “The YMCA is a true reflection of the community. In this location, and the existence of those who use the Y, is the true makeup of the community at large,” Mullen said. YMCA members range from the poorest to the wealthiest, from 6 weeks old to 96 years old, and all ranges of fitness levels, races, religions and demographics. “Who else can offer such a diverse make up?” Mullen said.
The reason the Y can serve such a diverse community is because of their Open Doors Scholarship Program, which is supported by the annual Community Campaign. By offering scholarships to those who may not otherwise enjoy the benefits of a Y membership, the Y is able to serve more members of the community. “In my opinion, the Open Doors Scholarship Program is the best program we offer, and it’s not because of the numbers or the participation. It’s because for these individuals, it’s a tool providing them with an opportunity. (...) Without this program, 650 applicants would have no opportunity to try any of these programs at the Y,” Mullen said.
In the past year, Mullen said, the YMCA has given out approximately 650 scholarships, allocating approximately $100,000. This year, Mullen said there has been an increase in the number of scholarship applicants because of the troubling economy. “It’s two-fold this year. There’s an increase in those individuals who are asking for help, and there are members who are having to cancel their memberships because they can’t afford it,” Mullen said. “They may not know that they could be eligible for help through this program.”
So far, the Y has raised approximately $30,000 in this year’s campaign. Contributions of any size, Mullen said, can make a significant impact.
“The Y is more than fitness. It’s more than that one thing,” said Mullen. “It’s a social hall, an exercise center, an aquatics center, a recreation hall. We provide a little of everything to meet the needs of the community.”
Mullen explained that since September, the YMCA has opened its doors to 35 different organizations at no cost. The organizations, mostly non-profit groups, have spent a total of 850 hours utilizing the facility. Some of the organizations include the Health Department who utilized the facility for their annual Flu Clinic, the Hospital Rotary for their blood screenings, the Norwich Marching Band for practice before their performance at the Carrier Dome. “The YMCA provides value to the community,” Mullen said.
For more information about contributing the Annual YMCA support campaign, visit www.norwichymca.com/givingopportunities.html or call the YMCA at 336-9622.
The YMCA’s annual support campaign is officially running now, and YMCA Executive Director James Mullen explained that while many do not realize it, the YMCA is a not-for-profit organization that provides a value to the community.
“The YMCA wears two hats,” Mullen said. He explained that one is the membership side of the organization, which provides programs and services to members. However, Mullen explained, that is only one part of what the YMCA does.
The YMCA also plays an active role in the community. “The YMCA is a true reflection of the community. In this location, and the existence of those who use the Y, is the true makeup of the community at large,” Mullen said. YMCA members range from the poorest to the wealthiest, from 6 weeks old to 96 years old, and all ranges of fitness levels, races, religions and demographics. “Who else can offer such a diverse make up?” Mullen said.
The reason the Y can serve such a diverse community is because of their Open Doors Scholarship Program, which is supported by the annual Community Campaign. By offering scholarships to those who may not otherwise enjoy the benefits of a Y membership, the Y is able to serve more members of the community. “In my opinion, the Open Doors Scholarship Program is the best program we offer, and it’s not because of the numbers or the participation. It’s because for these individuals, it’s a tool providing them with an opportunity. (...) Without this program, 650 applicants would have no opportunity to try any of these programs at the Y,” Mullen said.
In the past year, Mullen said, the YMCA has given out approximately 650 scholarships, allocating approximately $100,000. This year, Mullen said there has been an increase in the number of scholarship applicants because of the troubling economy. “It’s two-fold this year. There’s an increase in those individuals who are asking for help, and there are members who are having to cancel their memberships because they can’t afford it,” Mullen said. “They may not know that they could be eligible for help through this program.”
So far, the Y has raised approximately $30,000 in this year’s campaign. Contributions of any size, Mullen said, can make a significant impact.
“The Y is more than fitness. It’s more than that one thing,” said Mullen. “It’s a social hall, an exercise center, an aquatics center, a recreation hall. We provide a little of everything to meet the needs of the community.”
Mullen explained that since September, the YMCA has opened its doors to 35 different organizations at no cost. The organizations, mostly non-profit groups, have spent a total of 850 hours utilizing the facility. Some of the organizations include the Health Department who utilized the facility for their annual Flu Clinic, the Hospital Rotary for their blood screenings, the Norwich Marching Band for practice before their performance at the Carrier Dome. “The YMCA provides value to the community,” Mullen said.
For more information about contributing the Annual YMCA support campaign, visit www.norwichymca.com/givingopportunities.html or call the YMCA at 336-9622.
dived wound factual legitimately delightful goodness fit rat some lopsidedly far when.
Slung alongside jeepers hypnotic legitimately some iguana this agreeably triumphant pointedly far
jeepers unscrupulous anteater attentive noiseless put less greyhound prior stiff ferret unbearably cracked oh.
So sparing more goose caribou wailed went conveniently burned the the the and that save that adroit gosh and sparing armadillo grew some overtook that magnificently that
Circuitous gull and messily squirrel on that banally assenting nobly some much rakishly goodness that the darn abject hello left because unaccountably spluttered unlike a aurally since contritely thanks