Strong Kids campaign exceeds goal
Strong Kids campaign exceeds goal
Xenia Gazette
By Paul Collinsr
Friday, June 24, 2011
XENIA The Xenia YMCA is celebrating exceeded expectations as the communitys response to this years Strong Kids campaign pushes the non-profit organization forward in its goal of helping those in need.
The annual fund raising effort, which raises money to assist children and families that lack the funds needed to participate in YMCA programs and events, had a $42,000 goal for this year. In June, donations and contributions reached $44,654, an amount that hit the mark and kept going.
Weve exceeded our goal, said Tiffany Foxx, executive director of the Xenia YMCA. Were grateful to the Xenia community for helping us make that. Were grateful that were able to provide people access to our services. This helps us work with families based on their income. It will allow the families to participate in our programs at a greatly reduced rate.
This is the second year that the Xenia community has helped the YMCA shoot past its campaign goal. In 2010, the Strong Kids campaign was able to generate $38,000. While the campaign window has closed for this year, Foxx encourages member of the Xenia community to continuing giving. According to Foxx, the money requested to underwrite membership and program services has a tendency of exceeding the amount raised by the campaign.
In 2010, the requested scholarship money was $135,420, said Foxx. This year, we anticipate a $130,000 request level. The dollars weve raised offset some of the expense, but its still a greater need that what weve been able to raise.
The Xenia YMCA expects to give assistance to more than 700 individuals. These recipients, says Foxx, are not able to afford a YMCA membership or the fees to participate in YMCA programs.
This is something that YMCAs do across the nation, said Foxx. We offer financial assistance to anyone who walks through our doors. We dont turn anyone away based on economic status.
Foxx and the Xenia YMCA invites Xenia residents to get involved with its fund raising effort. Any amount, large or small, will help the non-profit organization provide services to those facing financial obstacles. A donation of $55, for instance, will give a child one full session of summer swim lessons. Greater amounts will help with programs such as summer day-camp, subsidized after school care, Teens in Action camp and the YMCAs Camp Kern. For more information, visit the Xenia YMCA at 135 East Church Street. Readers can also contact the YMCA by calling 376-9622.
The more funds that are raised, the more families we are able to reach, said Foxx.