Summer is the Time for Sun

With the summer months finally here, the campaign is boiling with anticipation for its ultimate cool down. With 130 active campaigns and dozens of prospects reaching the final phases of development, now is the time to give one last push to the Proud Heritage...Exciting Future Capital Campaign. Thank you to the generous donors who have lead the campaign thus far. Thank you to the hundreds of campaigners who are spreading the YMCA mission. Thank you to those who are considering their gift and actively communicating with their campaigner. By July 1, 2008, the campaign is anticipated to have recognized the majority of donors. Remember the value of the YMCA mission. Each conversation and each dollar impacts the YMCA family. Summer means more of the YMCA family enjoying the positive environment. Summer means bright futures for youth, families and adults. Summer brings encouragement of the capital drive and YMCA mission. Summer sun brings the positive outlook for a push to move the barometer as a YMCA family. Thank you to all!

Over the River...and Through the Woods

The Proud Heritage...Exciting Future Capital Campaign continues! With the campaign army in full swing, YMCA staff running dozens of ads on the radio, and hundreds of donors contemplating requests, May really will heat things up!

Garden City Family YMCA is pleased to have submitted a request to the Department of Commerce for assistance via their tax-credit program. Another supportive grant will be submitted to the Kresge Foundation in the near future as well!

With the generous support of the Mabee Foundation and recent additional support of the Finnup Foundation, Garden City Family YMCA is proud to continue the exciting future with so may friends of the YMCA. Thank you for your continued support!

Campaign progress: $1,453,205 as of April 30, 2008.

THANK YOU TYSON! Pledge of $100,0000

Feb. 25, 2008 at 1 p.m. Tyson Fresh Meats Plant Manager Paul Karkiainen and Tyson Fresh Meats Personnel Director Dale Masters announced its generous pledge of $100,000 to the Proud Heritage…Exciting Future Capital Campaign.

“We’re very excited about this because the YMCA is such a great organization,” Karkiainen said. “It’s a great way to give back to give back to the community.”

The Garden City Family YMCA serves nearly 3,000 members and more than 26,500 program participants each year with more than 100 different programs. For more than 43 years, the Garden City Family YMCA has provided the youth and families of Finney County with meaningful programs focused on health, wellness, aquatics, youth sports and representing the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. No one is turned away from participation in YMCA programs with financial assistance available for families in need.

"I can personally attest to the personal growth of my children at the YMCA," Masters said. “I have always considered the YMCA not only the hub of any given community, but a tie-in for community members because of what it stands for.”

Tyson is a corporate member of Garden City Family YMCA, featuring reduced membership rates for Tyson employees and their families. There are approximately 184 members affiliated with Tyson corporate memberships.

“We think it’s a great organization,” Karkiainen said. “It’s something that we really encourage our team members to belong to.”

After nearly two weeks in campaigning public phase, this substantial gift from Tyson will assist the campaign towards its $2.5 million goal, with current progress at $1,121,550.

“The Tyson pledge is a huge benefit for our YMCA,” CEO Chad Knight said. “Hopefully this will spur the interest of other organizations to make a substantial gift to make a difference to our community.”

The YMCA has been working toward significant expansion of the YMCA facility that will serve the Garden City community far into the future. Included in phase I expansion plans are a new family recreation swimming pool, an expanded early childhood center, an expanded fitness center for cardio and strength training, a new lobby and entry, a multi-purpose program rooms, additional updates, and expanded parking – featuring a Tyson Avenue!

“I think that it’s a great recognition piece,” Karkiainen said, “But we’re more excited about what it’s going to help the YMCA do.”

Projected numbers for 2012 anticipate the Garden City Family YMCA serving 3,729 YMCA members, 47,708 program participants, 132 programs, 1,409 volunteers and increased annual contributions.

“The YMCA is so thankful for the Tyson organization,” Knight said. “They continuously step up to help the YMCA provide more benefits for the local community – we’re so thankful.”

Proud Childcare Programs...Exciting Future Facilities

Getting back into another semester of school, parents will be pleased to hear about the Proud Heritage...Exciting Future Capital Campaign plans to expand and renovate the current childcare areas. The Capital Campaign will be an enclosed kitchen, an internal restroom, expanded square footage and more to the central, secure YMCA childcare facility. Childwatch, currently en route to the gymnasium, will relocate adjacent to the front lobby, as a completely new addition. Feb. 8 will commence to formal launch of the campaigns "public phase." Feel free to stop by the YMCA on your lunch hour for FREE pizza, FREE information, FREE drinks and yes, fun.

New Year...New Success

Garden City Family YMCA moves into a new year for new success. Campaign progress approached the $1 million-dollar mark, with progress at $972,050-updated Dec. 21, 2007. The recent gift from Commerce Bank and the Kemper Foundation concluded the 2007 year. A special thank you is given to volunteers and donors who have made this happen. With the 2008 year, the YMCA looks forward to new success in the Proud Heritage...Exciting Future Capital Campaign.

Remembering the mission!

All in good fun, the Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours served anywhere from 50-75 people, with food, socializing, entertainment and Capital awareness.

Dan Fankhauser, Chad Knight, Doug Keller, and Ed Lewis highlighted the evening with a performance of YMCA by the Village People.

Thank you to those who attended the event, enjoyed the event and continue to assist the Proud Heritage...Exciting Future Capital Campaign. This event was a great way to recognize the progress of the Capital Campaign and remember the YMCA mission: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a strong spirit, mind and body for all.

Food, fun and information help us remember what the Capital Campaign is all about: "we build strong kids, strong families, strong communities."

$726,050 As snow falls on the ground, campaign progress continues to heat up. The Turkey Shootout (Nov. 30 - Dec. 1) brought several individuals from the community and surrounding areas to the YMCA for a fun competition. This event, combined with full basketball and soccer activities, made the YMCA burst at the seams! Friends, families, and guests enjoyed the YMCA. Participants became family. Events like this will only continue with the consistent progress of the "Proud Heritage...Exciting Future Capital Campaign". "We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities." An expanded facility will help the YMCA family expand its home!