NORWICH – For the 13th year the Norwich Family YMCA has kicked-off its Open Doors Scholarship Campaign, an annual campaign aimed at providing financial assistance to families and individuals who otherwise would not be able to experience the benefits of a membership or programs offered at the Y.

Last year's campaign – co-chaired by Doug and Sharon Wilson, and Kelly Wilson Jones – was the largest to date, with 292 donors raising $103,672. Moneys raised during the campaign are used to support families and individuals who are interested in memberships or programming at the Y but can't afford it.

Norwich YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen said he considers the Open Door Scholarship Campaign to be one of the Y's most important initiatives.

Mullen said, "Without this Open Door Scholarship Program that can provide financial assistance, hundreds of kids and families will never have the opportunity to try to play basketball, or try to do a swim lesson, or have their child in after school care so mom and dad can work the one, two, or three jobs they need to to keep their family afloat."

This year's campaign is co-chaired by Eric Larsen, Rachel Larsen Flanagan, and two-year-old Sloane Flanagan. Eric is a former YMCA board president, Rachel grew up participating in the Y's youth sports, and Sloane has already begun taking swimming lessons at the Y.

In a letter sent to past donors, businesses, and members at the Y, the Larsens talked about the importance of the Norwich YMCA in shaping the community, and how nearly 8,000 people in the county are living below the poverty line and cannot afford a membership.

On Thursday Eric said, "The Y has so many great programs and it's everything we talk about wanting to do these days: it's health, nutrition, wellness. And you want everybody to be able to access that regardless of their means. That's what the scholarship program does, so I don't think there could be a better program really for our community."

Last year the Open Doors Scholarship Campaign helped 803 kids participate in youth sports, 330 kids attend childcare, 428 kids take swim lessons, and 40 community organizations use its facility at no cost, according to the Y's 2017-18 campaign snapshot. It further states that a donation of $30 gives a child the opportunity to play sports, $50 offers a child eight swim lessons, $125 provides a child a membership, and $750 allows a child to experience summer camp.

Rachel said, "We are very fortunate to have an organization like the Norwich YMCA, which offers programs to all ages in our community. The Open Doors Campaign is what helps make all those programs accessible to all. Your donations make a substantial impact on our local quality of life and are greatly appreciated by all."

The Norwich YMCA will be accepting contributions to the 2018-19 Open Doors Scholarship Campaign through August 2019. Donations can be made in person at the Y, by mailing in a check designated to the Open Doors Campaign, or over the phone with a credit card. Mullen said individuals can also make donations in honor or in memory of loved ones. Last year roughly 125 donors made their contribution in someone's memory.

"We're starting to see a lot more of [donations made in someone's memory] in our campaign and we're happy to do that because the Y has always been about family," said Mullen.

If you are interested in becoming a member at the Norwich YMCA or participating in any of its programs but cannot fit it into your budget, Open Door Scholarship applications can be obtained at the Y or on its website at www.norwichymca.com/Downloads/Open%20Doors.pdf. Mullen said the Y uses a formula based on household size and monthly income, while also assessing a family or individual's overall living situation, to determine eligibility.

If you have any questions, call the Norwich YMCA at (607) 336-9622.