March 7, 2008

Annual YMCA Community Support Campaign sets $375,000 goal

A year ago, the local East Valley Family YMCA set a record-breaking annual fund-raising campaign of $303,000.

The local YMCA upped the ante and set an even more challenging goal of $375,000 for the 2008 campaign. This represents a 25 percent increase over last year’s campaign, a huge community investment that will enable the Y to build Strong Kids, Strong Families and Strong Communities.

As this year’s campaign Kick Off begins, Denise and Marvin Morris of Windermere Town and Country deserve special recognition for their generous contribution of $12,500.

Serving the Evergreen area and other eastern communities of Santa Clara Valley since 1971, the East Valley Family YMCA launched the annual fund drive on Feb. 27. For 22 days, over 160 volunteers will be inviting others to make donations to support the YMCA. All of the donations collected will benefit those in need in the local community. These tax-deductible contributions fund financial assistance and subsidized programs, making them available to many people who would otherwise not be able to afford them.

The YMCA builds strong kids. The 2008 YMCA campaign makes it possible for the East Valley Family YMCA to provide: after school enrichment, childcare and camp programs, adult and family mentoring, computer technology access, leadership development for teens, as well as community service projects. All of these programs are instrumental in the building of developmental assets, character, confidence and self-esteem in the community’s youths and teens.

Jessica Perez, Director of the YMCA Afterschool enrichment program at OB Whaley Elementary School says, “The YMCA Afterschool program gives children the opportunity to participate in activities that they would not be able to partake in. In many circumstances English is not the primary language spoken in our childrens' homes. During the Aftershool programs we provide tutoring that is necessary to the children that come from homes where English is not spoken as a primary language. The YMCA is not only an after school program, we help families with difficult situations, provide opportunities otherwise not available and create everlasting relationships with schools, communities and families.”

One of the most important programs provided by the East Valley Family YMCA is located on the premises of Evergreen’s public elementary schools: on-site after school enrichment and day care programs. Children enrolled in the program remain on the school premises after school closes for the day.

East Valley Family YMCA’s Afterschool enrichment program serves over 1300 families daily in 14 elementary schools in Evergreen and East San Jose. These sites, which offer free child care to families in need, are funded by a combination of donation dollars and grants. Each site provides childcare to as many as 90 daily participants. Another seven licensed child care sites serve an additional 380 families. The YMCA is in 22 elementary school sites this year. Working parents know their child doesn’t need to be transported to another location after school and their child remains in a safe and nurturing environment until they are finished with the work day. A donation of $5,000 provides a family-in-need one year of on-site day care.

As this year’s campaign Kick Off begins, Denise and Marvin Morris of the Evergreen community deserve special recognition for their generous contribution of $12,500. This is their second year of kicking off the campaign, which they supported with a $10,000 donation last year.

Denise and Marvin of Windermere Town and Country along with the Windermere Foundation are committed to providing valuable services to the community especially when it involves kids. Denise and Marvin both serve on the Board of Managers for the East Valley Family YMCA. Denise is also the chairperson for this year’s campaign fund-raising of $375,000.

“We give as much as we can to a wide variety of charitable causes, and those that involve children are heartwarming,” said Morris.

“The YMCA is a positive and enriching organization for keeping kids actively involved in after-school activities, and I’m sure it gives their parents peace of mind that their children are cared for in a caring and structured environment.”

The 160 who are volunteering their time to this year’s fund-raising program hope that the contribution from Windermere will inspire other members of the Evergreen and Silver Creek community to do the same. The volunteers agree that the YMCA is instrumental in improving the quality of life for many in Evergreen and surrounding areas.

If you would like to make a contribution or get further information please contact the YMCA Executive Director Kayla Wright at kwright@scvymca.org or (408) 715-6523.