On February 19, the Summit Area YMCA kicked off its 2020 Annual Campaign at the new Berkeley Heights YMCA with its Board of Trustees, Branch Advisory Committees, staff and campaign volunteers.
This year’s goal to raise $640,000 will provide financial assistance to the Y’s most important programs that strengthen community on a daily basis. Funds raised from the Annual Campaign not only help the Y to give community members the ability to access a variety of programs, but opportunities to discover their potential, to learn, grow and thrive. The Y’s financial assistance program is 100% funded by donations. While membership fees cover our facilities, salaries, and other operating expenses, they do not fund our financial assistance program. The Y is able to welcome all, regardless of financial circumstance, because of the generous donations and gifts from members, volunteers, staff, community partners and more.
The festive evening included motivational speeches from members of the Summit Area YMCA whose lives have been enriched by the various subsidized programs offered by the Y.
Heather Brown, a breast cancer survivor, shared how since joining the Summit YMCA upon completion of the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program, she has become the “healthiest, strongest, and happiest she has ever been in her whole life” and because the Y helped her in times of need, she now wants to help give that back to others.
Amanda Corredor pledged to carry on the legacy of her late mother Teresa Mendez, former Summit Area YMCA Board of Trustee, avid campaigner and proud advocate for the Y. Amanda grew up with The Learning Circle YMCA being a staple in her life, having participated in child care programs there as a child as well as volunteering there as a teen. These experiences made such an impressionable impact on her that she went on to pursue a career in education, got her first job as a teacher at The Learning Circle YMCA and currently serves as one of their Branch Advisory Committee Member.
The Summit Area YMCA’s 2020 Annual Campaign runs through April 10.
We sincerely thank those who have enhanced the lives of members of our community through your gifts to the Annual Campaign. We hope you will renew your support and encourage others to invest in the Summit area community with a gift this year. For more information or to donate, visit our website at www.theSAY.org/give.
To learn more about the Summit Area YMCA and the many programs we offer, please visit www.thesay.org.
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About the Summit Area YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, the Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Each year, we serve more than 10,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those with demonstrated need.