Through its Priceless Gifts campaign, the Effingham County YMCA wants to be able to give the benefits of the Y to those who ordinarily can’t afford to take part in its programs.
The Y’s Priceless Gifts campaign is ongoing through March, and the drive helps the YMCA provide assistance and scholarships.
"All the funds we raise here locally go to our branch," said Effingham Y executive director Kim Dennis. "It goes to help provide financial assistance so we can offer scholarships to anyone who cannot afford to participate in our programs."
Last year, the Y gave out more than $70,000 in assistance in Effingham alone. Though the Y does charge fees for its programs and services, those fees don’t cover the needs of those who otherwise can’t afford the Y.
"The majority of the money we raise ends up in our child care programs. That seems to be where the most need is, for afterschool care, summer day camp. It goes for everything, for people wanting a membership so they can exercise all the way to childcare to youth sports, swim lessons. Everything we do, we offer financial assistance for."
A gift of $25 can cover field trip expenses for one child for half a summer and $50 covers swimming lessons for one child. A gift of $500 can enable five children to play a youth sport for one season, and a donation
of $1,000 pays for an entire year of afterschool care for one child.
The Effingham Y had 561 children enrolled in its childcare program last year, and 571 kids took part in the Y’s sports programs. The aquatics program served 275 kids, including providing swimming lessons, and more than 3,000 Effingham residents are members of the Y.
The YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s campaign also includes "3 Clicks for Kids," where donors can give through the Y’s Web site. By clicking on www.ymcaofcoastalga.org/ymca/site/pricelessgifts, they first go to fill out their secure PayPal information before selecting which branch they would like to receive their gift and the third click sends the gift information to the Y.
What the Priceless Gifts Campaign provides
Family No. 1
After a divorce and the poor economy left a mother wondering how she was going to provide for herself and her two children, she wasn’t sure what to do. She decided to follow an older dream and go back to school, but could not afford care for her youngest child and could not depend on her physically challenged older child to care for her. Her daughter had been at the Y for two years, and she had always been able to pay the fees for the programs. She had even contributed to Priceless Gifts before. Now it was time that she needed assistance to get ahead. She is thankful everyday for the Y and the care provided to her daughter and the ability to follow a dream.
