The Ventura Family YMCA launched its Annual Campaign on Friday, February 5 at the Y, which included over 60 campaign volunteers tasked with raising $170,000 in one-month. Board Chair, Danielle Brinkman-Vera, gave a speech about the importance of campaign and raising funds to support the disadvantaged in the community. Speaking from her personal experience as a former Open Doors scholarship recipient, Danielle understands and feels passionate about the Y working towards building a stronger community. The Y provided her with financial assistance in the past. Now she is a CPA, a Partner at Faber Hass Hurley, LLP, and gives back to the Y as the volunteer Board Chair.
Danielle explains, “It is important for everyone in our community to have the opportunity to be a part of the Y, no matter what their financial circumstances are. We have so many members who are part of the Open Doors program and then later become donors because they see the value in what they received. Our goal it help as many people in our community as possible!”
All of the Annual Campaign donations received will directly help children, individuals, and seniors within the community. The Open Doors scholarship fund ensures that nobody is turned away from the Y due to their inability to pay. In addition to direct scholarships the Y also provides free programs for the community. English as a Second Language(ESL) classes are run by a certified ESL instructor every six weeks. The Y acknowledges the importance of practicing safe swimming. Statistics show that children who do not learn how to swim by the 3rd grade most likely will never learn how to swim.
Every dollar raised in the annual campaign is used to benefit kids and families in need. Last year’s 2014-2015 combined total of donations and Y given support totaled $282,809.
Join the Y’s cause by donating in-person or via mail at the Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Rd. Or by calling 642.2131 or visiting ciymca.org/ventura.
The Ventura Family YMCA thanks their volunteers, donors, and Board of Directors for their support: Danielle Vera (Board Chair), Jim Duran (Past Chair), Todd Beguelin, Peter Berson, Pattie Braga, Rich Favor, Randy George, Rafael Gonzalez, Coral T. Hansen, Jeff Hata, Rick Jeffery, Dan Lyon, Doug Miller, Paul Mistele, Doug Moe, Tom Nevins, Ric Ruffinelli, Cherie St. Jean, Gema Walk, Jim White, and Kay Woodburn.
