The theme for the Portage Township YMCA Fundraising Campaign is "The Y. So Much More". And bright and early on Wednesday morning Chris Aungst, CEO for the Portage Township YMCA, had a verbalized the theme for us, "We're more than a gym, we're a cause. We have a lot of things that we can do that other gyms can't do."
The Campaign Kickoff Breakfast was that morning and it took place in the gymnasium of the Y. A hot breakfast was served to stave off the dreary weather, and those in attendance were in good spirits as they mingled and ate. Everyone came for one purpose that morning: supporting the YMCA, one of Portage's most valuable entities.
"St. Mary's is here to support the Y and everything that they do in the community," Jane Powers, a Marketing Assistant at St. Mary Medical Center, said. "We have a strategic partnership with them so it makes sense to support them because we have a lot of the same goals. Anything we can do to help them, we'll do."
There are many programs in the Y and they impact so many people every day. Children are able to achieve goals, families come together, the community forms more connections; all because of the Y.
"We are the glue that holds everything together," Aungst said. "We're dedicated to healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development."
A presentation was given to show the importance of raising funds for the Y, how much money is needed, and where the money will be going.
YMCA upkeep, employee salaries, etc. are taken care of by membership dues. The funds raised by these campaigns help create important programs like after school programs, physical fitness programs, and early learning programs; and enrich the lives of the people of the community. Here are three initiatives that the YMCA will be concentrating on.
- The Y teamed up with Real Life Community Church to create Westside Preschool Project. Plans to have a preschool program that runs five days a week for three hours a day are underway.
- YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program will help people learn about healthy eating and physical activity habits that can help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Support and encouragement from both staff and fellow classmates will help participants be successful.
- Togetherhood Program is a volunteer-based program that brings people in, identifies needs in the community, and then sends those individuals back out into the community to do good things.
The total amount of funds that need to be raised is $141,000, and with the help of donations from caring individuals can make that happen. Gifts to the Y help strengthen the community and the lives of those in it.
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