Cumberland County Y Exceeds Annual Campaign Goal But Continued Funding Needed

Although the Cumberland County YMCA’s 2008 Annual Campaign surpassed its financial goal, the community need for fee-assisted programs continues to grow and additional fund raising initiatives will be ongoing, according to the organization’s CEO Helen Foley.

At a “Victory Day” celebration held recently to mark the surpassing of the Campaign goal, Foley said the Cumberland County YMCA was very fortunate and grateful to have had “an energetic and enthusiastic” team of Campaigners which had raised over $18,000 more than the goal of $252,000, bringing in a record high of $270,258.

In 2007, $226,000 was raised and in 2006, $156,000.

Foley said although the 2008 goal was surpassed, the Cumberland County YMCA must continue fund raising because they provide more than $600,000 in financial assistance to individuals and families who might otherwise not afford access to programs.

“It is our mission to ‘build strong kids, individuals, families and communities through programs and services that promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, regardless of ability to pay’,” she said. “The Cumberland County YMCA is striving to be more program-focused, rather than just user-focused. Not just keeping the doors open to everyone, which we do, but making sure that when they do come to our facilities, there are activities into which they can quickly and comfortably be included.”

Ongoing fund raising initiatives will include grant submissions, sponsorship acquisition, upcoming branch events and a Cumberland County YMCA signature event currently being planned for 2009. Updates will be posted on the CCYMCA web site.

Healthy Kids Day Deemed a Great Success

Hundreds of children and their families visited branches of the Cumberland County YMCA – Greater Portland, Casco Bay and Pineland - recently to celebrate and take part in Healthy Kid’s Day activities.

Held on Saturday, April 12th, Healthy Kids Day was an initiative of Y-USA to further the YMCA mission of ‘building strong kids, strong families and strong communities’. Attendees were able to take part in a myriad of fun, engaging and creative activities designed to encourage children and their families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle. Activities and demonstrations included swimming, bowling, bike safety clinics, a bouncy house, healthy snacks, fire department displays, fun runs and Cumberland County’s first ever kids triathlon.

Healthy Kids Day was deemed a great success by both organizers and attendees and would not have been possible with the support of the following sponsors and vendors:

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hannafords, Royal River, Maine Medical Center, The Center for Vector-borne Disease, BCOM, Let's Go! , Countdown 5210, Jacob's Chiropractic Acupuncture, Jade Trade's East West Rehabilitation Clinic, Pepsi Bottling Group, Funtimes Kids Entertainment. Bicycle Coalition of Maine, New Gloucester Fire and Rescue, New Gloucester Library, Androscoggin Bank, Body Knowledge, 21 Reasons Substance Abuse Program - Cumberland County, Healthy Casco Bay, Freeport Police Department, Freeport Rescue, Yarmouth Police Department, and Katherine Simmons~ author of the Moose ate my Fort.

Welcome to the New Portland Branch Executive Director