On March 28, YMCA of Chatham-Kent’s Volunteer Community Campaign Chair, Jim Loyer, announced the organization’s 2024 campaign goal of $100,000. Two leadership gifts were also presented to kick-off the campaign - $15,000 from TekSavvy Solutions Inc. and $5,000 from Waste Connections of Canada.
During the event, YMCA of Southwestern Ontario VP of Development Christina Harley and Development Officer Art Stirling outlined the important work the Y does across Southwestern Ontario and in the Chatham-Kent community. They also thanked donors for the impact they’ve made in helping us deliver on our charitable mission of ensuring that Y facilities, programs and services are available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
In Chatham-Kent, we offer health, fitness, and aquatic programs, camp programs and services, child care and school age programs. In 2023, YMCA of Chatham-Kent provided $168,400 in financial assistance, approximately $15,000 a month, to families, children, adults, and seniors in our community. This represents 33% of our membership receiving some level of support. With the current inflationary pressures our members and community face, we anticipate the need to only grow.
During the event, Y Chatham-Kent member, Robel A., also shared how important the Y is to him and his family:
“The YMCA is my heaven on earth, and a safe place to heal my heart, mind, body, and soul. After escaping civil war in the Tigray state of Ethiopia as a child, I was first introduced to the Y where I learned to swim and attended camp. I’m back more than a decade later with my five children and wife. Now it's basketball, swimming, working out in the weight room, and enjoying the steam room. I love that there is a variety of healthy activities for my children, from my four-year-old to my 17-year-old. The Y has upgraded our lives as a family. It's something you must experience personally!”
