YMCA funds for mission will serve more than 8,200 local youth and families
April 22, 2015
Available financial aid funds double since 2010
GREENVILLE, SC — The YMCA of Greenville’s mission is to improve the lives of people in Greenville County by focusing its efforts on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
And because of the generosity of Y members, and community partners, no one with a demonstrated need is turned away from Y memberships or programs because of an inability to pay. Over the past five years, the funds available for financial aid have doubled as a result of the Y’s emphasis on sharing the success stories with Y members and asking them to invest in the positive outcomes of the Y’s mission.
More than 80 percent of the gifts made to the Y come from individuals reaching out to help their neighbors with:
- Increased access to health and wellness programs through memberships
- Providing a safe and educational place for students to go after school
- Giving young people the social and teamwork skills through youth sports
- Life-saving swimming lessons to children who otherwise have no access to a pool
Every year the YMCA of Greenville Annual Campaign raises funds for those in the community who need help to pay for Y memberships or programs. For 2015, the Y raised $1,074,580.
The YMCA of Greenville’s goal is to improve the health of the spirit, mind, and body of the citizens of Greenville County through its mission of wellness programs, youth sports, and childcare. However, the people who need the services of the Y the most are often unable to afford it. By raising funds through the annual campaign, the Y is able to keep its doors open to anyone, regardless of their ability or inability to pay.
The Y is focusing on the health of the community, and the funding will go a long way to improve the lives of individuals across the county, said YMCA of Greenville President and CEO Scot Baddley. “People who come to the YMCA of Greenville are part of something more than a gym membership. They’re part of a community that provides real, measurable results. Thanks to the generosity of neighbors, people who would otherwise be unable to afford access to a facility like the Y are able to make those healthy lifestyle changes.”
Donations come from local companies and individuals, and 100 percent of the funds are used for financial aid for memberships and programs like after school care, summer day camp, swim lessons, youth sports, preschool at the Judson Community Center, and summer camp at Y Camp Greenville.
“When you step onto a treadmill at the YMCA, the person to your left could be a CEO and the person to your right could be living at the poverty line,” said Annual Campaign chair Brad Hughes. “Our membership reflects the rich diversity of the greater Greenville community, making the YMCA fertile soil for developing meaningful relationships. This collective effort between the Y membership and community will demonstrably improve the quality of life for everyone.”
The celebration announcement was made at a luncheon that featured keynote speaker and ESPN analyst Dr. Jerry Punch.
About the YMCA of Greenville SC
The YMCA of Greenville is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves Greenville’s health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Begun in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include Afterschool, Resident Camp and Day Camp, Aquatics, Youth and Adult Sports, and Health and Wellness. Programs are offered through four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Y Camp Greenville, Judson Community Center, the Adams Mill Program Center and Hollingsworth Outdoor Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government program.
For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call
