Letter to the Editor: YMCA Needs Your Help To Help Others

By LINDA DALY
Family YMCA CEO

Dear Y Friend,

Reviewing applications for financial aid is truly a humbling experience.

I communicate with each by email or telephone, and all of them share their overwhelming relief, appreciation, joy, and gratitude because the Y’s assistance has helped them, their family or children. At our Y, this is more than 200 people helped; 72 kids in camp and afterschool care, and 140 people of all ages in healthy programs.

Donors do important work. They help children access safe, supervised childcare so parents can work. I receive at least one scholarship application a day now as we are enrolling for Camp and After School.

In May, I spoke with a grandmother who lost her daughter, and she is now raising her 10-year-old granddaughter. She is on very limited income, working as a housecleaner and caregiver. Thanks to the Y, her granddaughter will be in Summer Camp, Y After School and will also take Jujitsu classes.

Something else very compelling recently happened to me. I spoke to a woman who is on disability, whose husband works for the County and their two young children have learning disabilities. Their counselor recommended Y camp so that the children could regularly interact with other kids and learn new games, art and skills. When I told her she qualified for maximum assistance, she began to weep. She did not think she could afford to send both children and was wondering who to send. With this assistance, both children can attend.

I cannot express my gratitude enough to those who donate. As part of my job, I get to give peace of mind to my fellow neighbors but it is only through our collective efforts. With this letter is our 2013 Community Impact information, detailing our work. Thank you, thank you for your consideration and action. If you would like to donate now, please visit our website at www.laymca.org.   

Thank you for your consideration.

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