YMCA kicks off fundraising YMCA kicks off fundraising (March 11, 2005)

Support is needed to run childcare and youth programs
by Rebecca Guyon

The Tri-Valley YMCA launched its 2005 Partnership in Youth Campaign to raise funds for student scholarships and program support. Throughout March the YMCA will solicit and accept donations from organizations and individuals. Parents of children already in YMCA programs are specifically asked to make donations March 9-17 during the "Pot of Gold" week.

This year the YMCA hopes to raise $68,000. Last year the it surpassed its goal of $35,000, raising $59,970.

"I'm convinced (the YMCA) is the strongest family/youth organization in the country," said Dave Melander, YMCA Board of Managers member and campaign chair. "I'd like to see this Y expand because it's good to have an established organization that can bring people together."

The YMCA provides childcare for school-age children at Mohr, Fairlands and Lydiksen elementary schools and runs a Child Development Center for children preschool age and younger. In addition to childcare, the YMCA provides several activities for youths, including programs such as Youth in Government, Combating Childhood Obesity and organized sports.

"We take the role of providing affordable, quality childcare very seriously," said Kimiko Leong, executive director of the Tri-Valley YMCA. Leong also emphasized the importance of providing scholarships for children who need afterschool care. "We have children at sites where both parents have been laid off, especially after what happened with PeopleSoft. These scholarships ensure those children can still get afterschool care."

More than one thousand families participate in the Tri-Valley YMCA year-round and nearly two thousand families are involved in the summer programs. The YMCA also offers community programs that are open to people of any age.

During the summer, the YMCA organizes overnight camp programs at Camp Loma Mar in the Santa Cruz Mountains and runs 10 weeks of day camp for children in kindergarten through the eighth grade. Recently, the YMCA held a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast to raise money to send children to Camp Loma Mar.

"The Y helps families by providing things like summer camp," Melander said. "We do what we can to help families because our philosophy is strong kids, strong families, strong communities."

Donations are being accepted at the Tri-Valley YMCA 4725 First Street, Suite 200, Pleasanton 94566. Call 475-6110.

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