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Contact Information:
Walter Johnson, Vice
President, Resource Development, Heritage YMCA Group 630.420.6275
Lauren Visher, Resource
Development Coordinator, Heritage YMCA Group 630.420.3988
Heritage
YMCA Officially Kicks-Off 2008 Strong Kids Campaign
(Guest
Speaker, George Hood "spins" a new approach on fundraising for the
YMCA)
(Naperville, IL)…The Naperville Country Club
was the setting for the 7:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 19th 2008
Heritage YMCA Strong Kids Campaign kick-off breakfast. Well over 100
Heritage YMCA staff, board members, donors, volunteers and community
participants attended this early morning kick-off event to show their
support for this great cause.
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is one way of
assuring that no one is ever turned away because they lack financial
resources. The Heritage YMCA is 100% committed to helping everyone who
needs our assistance. The Y's ability to continue to make and deliver
on this statement is dependent on a sustained effort to raise funds.
The 2007 Strong Kids Campaign set a record with over $470,000 pledged.
Because of that effort, hundreds of kids, teens, families, and seniors
enjoyed the YMCA.
The breakfast event included an invocation by
Walter Johnson, vice president, resource development, Heritage YMCA, a
welcome from Gordon Fry; Heritage YMCA
board chair, a "first report" of the 2008 Strong Kids Campaign by
Denice Gierach; co-chair Strong Kids Campaign, the recognition of a
special guest; Kenn Miller; Councilman
for City of Naperville, passionate speeches by guest speakers Joe
Proctor; president, JEP Communications, and George Hood; spin bike
Guiness World Record holder and concluded with words about the YMCA
mission from Tom Beerntsen, president/CEO, Heritage YMCA Group.
Joe Proctor commented
about his involvement with the YMCA, " I have been involved with the
YMCA since I was a young boy and learned how to swim at the Y. I
continue to experience the great things it does to impact kids,
families and the community." George Hood, who will be attempting to
set a new Guinness World Record of 135 hours on a stationary spin bike
at the Fry Family YMCA, May 4 - 10th to raise money for the Strong
Kids Campaign said, "invest in the kids because it is the right thing
to do. This ride in May will be an experience of a lifetime for me and
for everyone involved." Additionally, the YMCA recognized James
Bergeron and Tessa's Restaurant for their sponsorship of the YMCA
Strong Kids Campaign Chairman's Round Table Dinner
in October 2007 and RR Donnelley for their two year commitment
to the Strong Kids Campaign and YMCA Safe 'n Sound program.
The goal for the 2008 Heritage YMCA Strong Kids
Campaign is $500,000 with $300,027 already pledged. Campaign Chair,
Tom Miers was quoted saying, "I believe everyone should be able to
participate in the YMCA. The Y has had an enormous impact on our
children and has helped shape them into fine young adults today. The
YMCA is about instilling values in children, lifting their self-esteem
and changing lives. The Y is a place where kids can be "dropped off"
and "lifted up." Help us continue to build strong kids, strong
families, strong communities. The need is great and I know together we
can make a difference."
To learn more about and donate to George Hood's
training effort for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign ride, visit
www.RideGeorgeRide.org.
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