Ormond Beach Family YMCA's Strong Families Campaign is underway

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Ormond Beach Family YMCA is hoping to raise $76,400 to help local families by March 29.

The annual Strong Families Campaign started on Feb. 5, and aims to raise funds for its scholarship fund, which helps provide financial assistance for the YMCA's programs for families in need. It's how the YMCA is able to never turn any families or individuals away from using the local facility or benefitting from its programs, said Julia Cortez, senior program director for the Ormond Beach Family YMCA.

"The whole point of the Y is to be a safe place for people," Cortez said. "We promote healthy living, relationship building, so it's important for people to know about the Y and come to the Y, regardless of age."

Maycie Cady, a lifeguard, and Mike Regan, a personal trainer, point to a whiteboard explaining the Strong Families campaign during the hero-themed week. Courtesy photo

While the YMCA does collect membership fees, those are used to cover the cost of running its facilities and staff's salaries. The money in the scholarship fund comes only from donations.

These donations, Cortez said, allow a family who has multiple children, for example, be able to bring them all to the YMCA's summer camp or sign them all up for a fitness or enrichment program, when normally, this would be financially out of reach. The same goes for senior citizens.

"I love that we can help our 93-year-old member ... He served in Vietnam and he just can't afford the Y. We're not going to turn him away. Listen, he's at this facility every single day, swimming his laps."

The funds raised also stay within the local facility, as each YMCA hosts its own fundraising campaign. Last year, the Ormond Beach Family YMCA had a goal to raise $60,000, and they raised over $65,000.

So far during this year's campaign, the organization has raised almost $48,000.

Cortez, who has been working for the local YMCA for seven years, said that the Strong Families Campaign is her favorite time of the year. To raise attention around the campaign, staff hosts themed weeks and dress up.

"It really is a worthy cause," Cortez said. "I think a lot of people hear 'campaign' and 'fundraising' and they think, 'Oh well, that money's not going toward anything good.' I promise — this money is going right back into our community."

To donate, visit vfymca.org/donate.