North Suburban YMCA Celebrates Ten Years Of Fundraising
(CBS) -- Over the past decade, the North Suburban Y has been offering programs for thousands of children and their families, and in that time, it's raised more than $2.1 million for the Y's Financial Assistance Program.
"There are over 2,300 individuals that we help with our Financial Assistance Program," said Barb Flanigan, vice president of development for the NSYMCA. "Last year we gave approximately $550,000."
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The 10th annual Ken & Alta Theil Strong Kids Fundraiser will be held on March 10 at Pinstripes Northbrook.
Flanigan says all proceeds go toward swim classes, camps for kids and after school programs.
"We enable people who are in a bad situation, financially to still use the facilities of the Y as a community center as a place to network and see friends," she said.
Flanigan says one of the most critical skills for young children is to learn to swim. Through the YMCA programs, even families who can't afford lessons, can enroll in swim classes.
"There is such a need for children to learn basic swim skills," she said. "Through the Strong Kinds Financial Assistance Program, we are able to have kids to have lessons that wouldn't be able to afford it. We have people there during school and after. It's so important."
The Y serves 15 communities from Winnetka to Lake Bluff and has 5,800 members.
"Over the years we've provided 11,320 weeks of swim lessons, 29,680 weeks of after school programs and childcare services and 6,528 weeks of summer day camp," said Flanigan. "Our goal is to raise $300,000 for those services this year."
Guests to the gala will enjoy food, cocktails and a silent auction.
Tickets are available through the North Suburban YMCA's website, www.nsymca.org, with an RSVP deadline of February 28.
