Kennett Y launches Annual Giving Campaign

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on February 17, 2016

The Kennett Area YMCA displays materials at the Market at Liberty Place to announce the launch of its Annual Giving Campaign, a fundraiser that enables the Y to make its programs available to all, regardless of income.

In 2015, 2,087 children whose parents couldn’t afford to send them to camp at the Kennett Area YMCA got the experience anyway.

Doug Nakashima, executive director of the Kennett Area YMCA, says the generosity of area residents has enabled the Y to extend its reach.

During the same time period, more than $600,000 was awarded in financial assistance to 2,540 families so that they could take advantage of the Y’s mission to nurture healthy spirits, minds and bodies, said Doug Nakashima, its executive director.

“We don’t ever turn anyone away because they can’t pay,” he said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Nakashima and other YMCA representatives sporting neon shirts appeared at the Market at Liberty Place to celebrate the reason the nonprofit could assist those in need: a compassionate community. The Y launched its Annual Giving Campaign, which raises the funds that make up the difference between programming costs and some families’ ability to contribute to them.

“We live in a very generous community,” Nakashima said, adding that members’ kindness manifests itself in numerous ways throughout the year. “In December, we had 221 children on our Angel Tree and all of the names were taken. At Thanksgiving, 80 baskets were provided to people in need.”

In addition to making individual donations, the Y encourages people to form teams, set goals, and engage in healthy competition with other groups. The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) so contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, visit http://givetothey.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1154410.