Thursday, April 15, 2010 Strong Kids Campaign raises more than $190,000

The Sarasota Family YMCA’s Strong Kids annual support campaign raised $190,760.03 during a six-week fundraising drive, exceeding the association’s goal of $156,000. Some 1,331 people gave to the campaign, which raises funds for adults, children and families who would not be able to take advantage of YMCA programs without financial assistance.

“This was a phenomenal year,” said Paul B. Smith, President and CEO of the YMCA. “It was record setting in terms of board giving, staff giving and the number of individual donors supporting the YMCA.”

The campaign was chaired by Victor Scully. Individual campaign chairpersons for each branch were: Metro Office, Rick McDaniel; Hardee County YMCA, Bo See; Frank G. Berlin, Sr. branch, Jim Sartori; Evalyn Sadlier Jones branch, Kathy Coffey and Leslie Jones Mortensen; and Babe Weiller branch, Josh Helmuth.

“When you believe in the things that we do at the Y, it’s not hard to ask good people to give,” Scully said.

To learn more about the programs funded by the campaign and to donate all year long, visit www.sarasota-ymca.org/strongkids.

The Sarasota Family YMCA is nationally known for innovative programs and outstanding facilities. From youth shelters to fitness centers, we continue to follow our guiding mission in everything we do: We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. We continue to develop collaborations and core programs to meet the changing needs of the community.