By DR. RICHARD MARTINVP Family YMCA Board of Directors
I am a Member and volunteer Board Member of The Family YMCA. As such, I contribute time and funds to the Y.
I serve the Y and contribute because I have become very aware of the positive impact the Y makes in the lives of many in our community—especially youth.
The Y is conducting its 2017 Annual Campaign on behalf of kids and families in North Central New Mexico. The goal of our Campaign is to ensure that everyone can participate in Y programs regardless of their ability to pay. Donations to the Campaign allow hundreds of children and families to benefit from the many programs at the Y, including programs at our Española and Los Alamos Teen Centers.
To date, the Campaign has reached 81% percent of our $155,000 goal.
For some background on how Campaign funds are used, please consider the following. In 2016, 8,193 persons were served by our Y locally in three areas, youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. To the Y, social responsibility means supporting our neighbors and improving our communities.
In 2016, the Y helped 286 individuals in 136 families with financial assistance to allow kids and adults to participate in programs that they could not otherwise afford. We continue to see an increase in the number of children and families that need financial assistance—we expect to assist over 300 in 2017.
All Campaign gifts are used to provide opportunities for deserving children and families to participate in Y programs. For more than 60 years, The Family YMCA has been a community service leader providing a variety of opportunities for children and adults. Our commitment to nurture and develop the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility is especially important now.
Of the $140,000 raised in 2016, $83,000 was for afterschool/camp and youth programs; and $32,000 was awarded for Y memberships; $25,000 was for the Española Teen Center activities. This year, more is needed to increase our support in all areas. Last year one in four children in childcare were on financial assistance.
Please consider a gift to the YMCA so that we can meet the needs of those who turn to the Y for support. You can donate on line at https://laymca.org/ or by mailing or delivering them to 1450 Iris St. Los Alamos, NM 87544.
If you are in Española/Rio Arriba County—your gift can be dropped off at or mailed to our Teen Center at 808 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park Road, Española, NM 87532. All donations, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated.
The Y is a nonprofit charitable organization (501C3), which allows income tax deductions for any donations. I sincerely thank you for your ongoing support.
