Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – The Pickaway County Family YMCA took a big step toward its annual fundraising goal on Monday with the help of a $10,000 donation from The Savings Bank.
Though part of the overall Annual Giving Campaign, the donation is intended primarily to help support the YMCA in its operation of the city pool at Ted Lewis Park.
“The community is at the center of everything we do here at The Savings Bank,” said Jeff Farthing, bank president. “Sponsoring the city pool is another way we are able to give back as your community bank.”
Jeff Phillips, executive director of the Pickaway County Family YMCA, said The Savings Bank has always shown a keen interest in operation of the city pool, stemming from the belief of former president Stephen Gary that it is a valuable asset to the community and helps keeps families active and entertained.
“We are blessed and humbled by the support of The Savings Bank,” Phillips said. “They have always been such an incredible partner. They believe strongly in the mission of the Y, and they come to the plate with what they believe.”
With Monday’s donation, the local YMCA has now collected about $47,000 of its $62,000 goal for this year.
“The cost of Y memberships allows us to keep the lights on, the pool warm and the equipment running,” Phillips said. “The Annual Giving Campaign is something we do every year to help augment all the different programming and things we do here at the Y.”
In addition to the city pool, the campaign also helps fund the LIVESTRONG program for cancer survivors, a diabetes prevention program and the summer lunch program for kids 18 and under.
Starting June 1, any child age 18 and under can receive a free lunch as part of a program offered in conjunction with the OSU Extension Office. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the YMCA on Nicholas Drive and at Head Start on Corwin St.
Part of The Savings Bank’s donation also will allow PICCA to provide daily transportation to and from the Elsea Mobile Home Park for children to participate in this program, and through a Walmart Foundation grant, the children transported to the YMCA will get to enjoy one hour of physical activity or games.
Phillips said the Annual Giving Campaign also provides funding for membership scholarships for those who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
“The thought is everyone should be able to be a member of the Y regardless of income,” Phillips said. “This allows us to provide scholarships for up to 40 percent of the membership cost. It really allows us to do all the good things we can do.”
To offer a donation or to learn more about the local YMCA and its services, visit the facility at 440 Nicholas Drive, call 740-477-1661 or visit on the Web at www.ymcacolumbus.org/pickaway.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
