November 19, 2004

Annual YMCA Community Support Campaign sets $255,000 goal

Kate Davey, Meena Sathappan contribute $1,000 to kick off campaign

By Diane Hymes
Special to the Times

Each year, the YMCA conducts a widespread fundraising activity. Unique to this activity is the magnitude of the return to the local community. The annual YMCA Community Support Campaign returns 100 percent of the donations collected to those in need in the local community. Donations fund financial assistance and subsidize programs, making them available to many people that would otherwise not be able to afford them.

This year’s YMCA Community Support Campaign at the East Valley YMCA (on South White Road) begins with a challenging goal of $255,000—a 34 percent increase over last year’s campaign goal of $190,000. A tremendous air of generosity resulted in a total collection of $230,000 in the 2004 campaign, far surpassing the goal.

(From left) Children who attend the YMCA’s day care program (front row) Heather Apgar, Lauren Allen, Connor Mukai, Ryan Palmer and Valerie Lam; (middle row) Kyle Morris, Shaela Prince, Erin Mukai and Sarah Mitchell join the YMCA’s campaign trailblazers (back row) Diane Hymes, Kate Davey and Dr. Meena Sathappan.

The campaign enhanced availability of sports and camp programs, adult and family mentoring, computer technology access and leadership development for teens as well as community service projects. All of these programs are instrumental in the building of character, confidence and self-esteem in youth and teens.

As Keith Allen, director of the day care center at the Silver Oak Elementary School says, “With these essential assets, our children are better equipped to become productive members of society and are more apt to become future role models themselves.”

One of the most important programs enabled by the YMCA is located at public elementary schools. This program is the on-site day care program that the East Valley YMCA operates at the schools. Children enrolled in the program remain on the school premises after the school day ends.

It is comforting for working parents to know their child doesn’t need to be transported to another location after school and remains in a safe and nurturing environment until they are finished working. A donation of $5,000 provides a family in need one whole year of before- and after-school day care.

Generous campaign kick-off donations
As this year’s campaign kicks off, two members of the Evergreen community deserve special recognition for their $1,000 contributions.

Kate Davey and her team are one of the top listing and selling real estate agents in the Silver Creek Valley. Now affiliated with Intero, Davey will be located in a brand new office scheduled to open at the Commonwealth Credit Union Building (Silver Creek Valley Road and Hellyer) on Nov. 29.

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

Davey said she was delighted to assist the campaign with a generous kick-off contribution of $1,000.
Dr. Meena Sathappan, who recently opened a pediatrics practice in Evergreen, also deserves special recognition. Her practice, Aasha Pediatrics, is located at the corner of Aborn Road and Capitol Expressway, in the medical building behind Red Lobster.

“I firmly believe that a good after-school program is central to the health, development and well-being of a child,” Dr. Sathappan said.

Since Evergreen is where she lives and works, she was excited to get involved. “Even though my practice is young and growing, I firmly believe that a contribution to the East Valley YMCA Community Support Campaign is a direct investment in the Evergreen community.”

Dr. Sathappan also made a generous kick-off contribution of $1,000 to the YMCA campaign.

Those volunteering their time to this year’s fundraising program hope the contributions from Davey and Sathappan will inspire other members of the Evergreen and Silver Creek communities to do the same. The volunteer team believes that the YMCA is instrumental in improving the quality of life for many of us in Evergreen.

If you would like to make a contribution, contact Diane Hymes at diane.hymes@lamrc.com or Donna Morris at waynedonnamorris@sbcglobal.net.