Friday, February 26, 2010 6:57 PM EST

YMCA kicking off Strong Kids campaign

By Adam Vosler
Olean Times Herald

OLEAN – The Olean Family YMCA on Wayne Street is hoping for a strong start to its Strong Kids annual support campaign, which kicked off Thursday.

The YMCA hosted a meeting to “rally the troops” Thursday evening and get the ball rolling on its $150,000 goal for 2010. Strong Kids funds help pay membership fees for those who can’t afford it, as the YMCA won’t turn anyone away.

“There’s a community need for a healthy lifestyle and for kids and families to be able to enjoy the YMCA and our programs,” said Aaron Donahue, executive director of the Olean branch. “Pretty much everything that we offer, we offer financial assistance for.”

It might surprise some to learn that about one-third of Olean YMCA members get some help with their membership fees – both adults and children.

Everything from swimming lessons to day care and after-school care can be covered in part by the YMCA if the family faces financial hardship. The organization must raise money to offset those costs.

The drive comes during a time when many need to lose weight and connect with family due to what Mr. Donahue called a “health crisis” in Cattaraugus County. indeed, a recent report from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Washington ranked Cattaraugus 56th of New York’s 62 counties in overall health.

In part, he said, that’s why all age groups receive some sort of help from the YMCA.

“We start YMCA memberships at 6 weeks old and (go) all the way to seniors,” Mr. Donahue said. “We have quite a lot of seniors that are on scholarships as well.

“We’re fighting childhood obesity here every day – and (for) adults as well.”

Strong Kids helped battle that in 2009, as the YMCA beat last year’s goal of $142,000 while giving out $300,000 total in financial assistance. Mr. Donahue thinks this year’s goal can also be attained by the late-April deadline.

Campaign co-chairs Marcia Storch and Maureen Negron are leading the four-phase effort – staff will reach out to people they know to “explain the good work YMCA is doing,” as Mr. Donahue put it. Then, the YMCA’s network of 100-plus volunteers ventures into the community to ask for financial help.

Those interested in volunteering or making a pledge can call Mr. Donahue at the Olean YMCA at 373-2400. he said that pledges can be made and paid over the course of the year, while he added that, of course, donations are tax-deductible.”

“As a charitable organization, we are one of the most impactful (in the area),” he said. “We have over 8,000 members … and we’re growing.

“There’s a big need there, and it’s important to spread the word about what we’re doing. everything we raise stays right here at the (Olean) branch.”

(Reporter Adam Vosler can be reached at avosler@oleantimesherald.com.)

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