YMCA launches annual fundraiser

Published 12:40 pm Wednesday, December 7, 2005

By Angie Thompson



TIFTON — The Tiftarea YMCA on Tuesday kicked off its annual campaign to raise $20,000 to provide financial assistance to local people who could not otherwise afford to enjoy the benefits of the facility and its programs.

“All the money raised goes toward helping needy families and children participate in the YMCA activities and to pay for the programs themselves,” said Frank Sayles Jr. of The Tifton Gazette, who co-chairs the 2005 “I’m a Believer” campaign with Helen Richardson of Plant Telecommunications.

“The YMCA is about the people, and the money that is donated during this campaign will go for financial assistance and not to the general operating fund,” Richardson explained.

Sayles said a $500 donation will pay for seven children to attend the YMCA’s “Schools Out Camp,” or for four youths to get a full YMCA membership, or for five children to receive a full summer membership with use of the pool and facilities.

“A $300 donation will pay for 10 children to get swimming lessons,” Sayles added.

The six-week campaign ends on April 15.

Four teams have been formed to conduct the fundraiser. Each team has co-captains who are YMCA board members. Team members include “Loaned Executives,” employees of local businesses on loan to the YMCA to work two or three hours a week to help raise the money.

The businesses and their volunteer executives include: Affinity, Jill Bergeron; Citizens Security Bank, Greg Sellars; COI Food Services, Mike LeDouz; Collection Services of Tifton, Lee Brown; ERA Coleman Overstreet, Melissa Brock; First Community Bank, LeLand Roberts; J.H. Services, Sandra Lindsey; South Georgia Banking Co., Steve Pearman; Stafford Development, Kelli Strickland; Tift Regional Medical Center, Carla Hall; Deidra Baerwald, Credit Bureau Associates; and Tifton Banking Co., Yvonne Hammond.

The YMCA facility on Westover Road opened on Jan. 1, 2004 and boasts a multi-purpose building and a new aquatic center with three separate pools. Aerobic and exercise classes as well as cardiovascular and weight equipment is available, in addition to various youth sports programs.

“It is your YMCA and not ours,” said Kevin Angell, the YMCA’s chief executive officer. “We are just the stewards of the money.”

The campaign kickoff, led by YMCA board chairman Dallas Hunt of J.H. Services, was held at Tifton Gardens in downtown Tifton.

Anyone wishing to donate to the YMCA’s “I’m a Believer” campaign may mail their checks to the YMCA, 1823 Westover Road, Tifton, GA 31793. For information about the YMCA and its programs, call 391-9622.



To contact city editor Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.