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IT IS ALL ABOUT BUILDING STRONG KIDS
Our YMCA is now in the midst of the
annual Strong Kids Campaign to raise $400,000 to insure that Y
programming is available to all kids and families regardless of
their ability to pay the full cost of participation. The campaign
began in mid February and will conclude at the end of March.
Over 150 campaign volunteers are
making calls on individuals and businesses to solicit their
support. This year’s effort is being led by Hunter Byington and
Matt Skarr. This six week campaign is vital to the fiscal health
of the YMCA. It is a time where we tell our story in the
communities we serve. It has everything to do with fulfilling our
mission of service and stewardship.
The Heritage YMCA Group, which
serves Aurora, Naperville and Oswego, has a
membership of nearly 22,000 members. Countless others participate
as non member community participants. In 2005 we provided about
$400,000 in fee assistance. These funds helped kids and families
use and enjoy the Y as members, allowed kids to attend camp and
provided before and after school care so moms and dads could work
knowing their children were safe.
Our job as an organization is to
instill values in young people, to provide leadership and
character development opportunities and to help kids develop a
strong sense of self-esteem. Our work has everything to do with
changing lives and building human potential, one person at a time.
Your gift to this year’s Strong
Kids Campaign will help us continue our tradition of providing Y
programming to all young people. If you have not been contacted
by one of our campaign team, please feel free to call any of our Y
locations and we will welcome your support. You can also go to
our web site
www.heritageymca.org and make a secure donation on-line using
your credit card. And of course we always welcome the referral of
kids and families who would enjoy the benefits of Y membership but
are not able to afford the full cost of participation.
You may also want to attend our May
6th benefit dinner at Heaven on Seven. Seating is
limited to 120 and the cost for this lobster and fillet dinner
event is $85 with $35 of every ticket going to the YMCA Strong
Kids effort to support the Naperville Family Resource Center. The
$4,000 gift from this event will extend our commitment to serving
these children.
Submitted by: Tom Beerntsen
President/CEO
Heritage YMCA Group
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