Grand Traverse Insider
March 7, 2010
Submitted by Dave Eitland, YMCA Director of Development and Marketing
YMCA – Charity of Choice
“What makes the YMCA the charity of choice for so many in the Grand Traverse Bay Area is our Christian mission.” These were the opening words of YMCA CEO Tom Van Deinse at the recent YMCA Annual Volunteer Awards Banquet. “People give to the Y because they know that as the nation’s largest non-profit, we really do what we say we do – we really do build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities through Christian programs that build spirit, mind, and body for all. People give to the Y because it makes a difference.”
And it’s not just money they give. In 2009, 464 volunteers donated 32,864 hours of their time as soccer coaches, board members, fundraising campaigners, Pop Warner Football coaches, day care readers, and in a myriad of other ways assisting with the Y’s 65+ programs.
“Without our volunteers,” adds Van Deinse, “we simply couldn’t exist.”
The YMCA’s 2009 Community Benefits Report, compiled by the YMCA of the USA for the nearly 2,700 YMCAs in the U.S., reveals that volunteer support for the YMCA accounted for $665,496 in services for kids and families in the Grand Traverse Bay Area. Total charitable gifts topped $1 million in 2009, according to the report.
But, like any charity, the YMCA receives so that it may give. The same report highlights $281,071 in direct and indirect support (beyond volunteerism) back to the community, including more than $54,000 for child care for qualifying families. Other support helped over 500 of the 11,000 program users throughout the YMCA’s five county service area, through their “No One Denied” financial assistance policy.
“With the support of so many volunteers to match direct donor support,” concludes Van Deinse, “we not only operate effectively, but efficiently.” In fact, the YMCA is cited by Newsweek as one of the top five charities “that will make the best use of your donation.”
For more information about volunteerism and the YMCA, or to see the 2009 Community Benefits Report, go to www.gtbayymca.org, or contact Dave Eitland at 933-9622 or dave@gtbayymca.org.
