I love this time of year! After working in the Y’s philanthropy department for 12 years, the cooling weather gets me in the mood for the Annual Campaign. I get pumped to share the Y story and raise support to ensure the Y and all of our programs are accessible for ALL – one of the most important aspects of our work.
I was at the Kraft YMCA’s Annual Campaign kickoff last Tuesday evening. The room was packed with Y volunteers who are giving generously of their time to ask their friends and family to invest in our community with a gift to the Y. There was bar-b-q, mac and cheese, green beans and the sort of happy I’ve come accustomed to from a room full of YMCA folks.
The program kicked off with an interview of two Y campers, Maverick and Liberty. Katherine Vance, Associate Branch Director in charge of youth programs, was the MC. They were best friends last summer, both in 4th grade, both in the “Cheetas” huddle.
They talked about their favorite camp activity – swimming – which is no surprise.
Liberty got her yellow swim band last summer allowing her to swim in the 5-foot-deep area of the pool. Katherine asked her how she achieved this accomplishment. Liberty took the mic and said, “Madison (her swim lesson instructor) just kept telling me ‘You got this! You got this!’”
Maverick got his black swim band that allowed him to go in the deep end of the pool. He admitted he failed the test the first time, “I kept swimming crooked.” He tried again and found success. He then he schooled the audience, “Practice makes perfect.” He then pointed his finger at the crowed, “No. Practice makes PRO-GRESS.”
Our swim lessons save lives. So far this year, we have directly impacted more than 4,800 kids, teens and adults through swim lesson and our Swim for Life program. That’s 4,828 individuals who are safer because of our Y.
And important life lessons like “You got this!” or “Practice makes progress” help empower those in our care with courage, perseverance and tenacity – traits that are sometimes hard to find.
Spread the word about the great work at the Y so that we can continue to make a difference for Maverick, Liberty and thousands of other kids who need us. And consider a gift too!
