A little over half way to go to the finish line!
(FRISCO, TX — February 6, 2018) The Frisco Family YMCA kicked off its Annual Campaign at The Pole Position Indoor Go Karting Raceway on January 25, 2018, announcing its fundraising goal of $139,000.
As part of its promise to put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, the Frisco Y’s Annual Campaign raises donations to support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
According to Bill Markell, Vice President of Operations for the Frisco YMCA, the first benefit of community support is providing access to all, regardless of ability to pay.
“Secondly, the campaign allows us to share the Y story and all of the positive impact programs and services we provide to our community,” he said. “Third, it demonstrates and confirms our value in our community. If we are successful, our community thinks of the Y as a relevant forward-thinking organization – one it can trust and invest in.”
Annual Campaign funds allow children an opportunity to participate in sports programs, give cancer survivors free membership with personalized workouts and fellowship with other survivors, provide seniors a place to preserve quality of life and social wellness – and so much more.
The Kick-Off Party was co-hosted by five area YMCAs from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Coppell, and Collin County Adventure Camp. Guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, arcade games, go kart racing, and inspiring testimonials by those who have benefitted from YMCA programs.
McKinney YMCA Board Member Barbara Delk shared her story of lifetime participation in YMCA activities. As a child she benefitted from after school and summer programs, even continuing to return as a counselor when she reached her teenage years. When she became a single mom of three kids later in life, she rediscovered the YMCA as a safe place for child care from a parent’s perspective.
“I couldn’t afford after school care, and I couldn’t afford summer camp, but I didn’t want my kids staying home alone,” Delk said. “I didn’t have a support system. It was hard to swallow that and say ‘I need help.’ But they were there for me, and they were there for my children. My kids got to experience what I got to experience. They helped with all of the expenses until I could start giving back and paying more and more.”
Delk explained that her gratitude for the financial support from the YMCA during those difficult years has inspired her to raise funds for other families in need in the years to come.
“I share this with you today because now I’m a board member, and it is my turn to give back,” Delk said. “If it wasn’t for the donations and the help, I probably would not be the person that I am today.”
Livestrong program participant Lori Maucieri expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to feel empowered as a cancer survivor.
After years of enjoying YMCA youth programs in her childhood and later in life with her own children, Maucieri received a breast cancer diagnosis. After an initial surgery, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread and she would need a vigorous treatment plan, including chemotherapy and radiation.
“It was more than I had originally bargained for, but I decided to have a positive attitude about it,” Maucieri said. “But as the chemo went on, the sicker I got and the crankier I got.”
Maucieri said one evening her husband, who serves on the Plano YMCA board, came home with a brochure for the Livestrong exercise program. At first, she was reluctant to participate because she felt so ill from her chemo treatments. But eventually she decided to give the program a try.
“It was the best thing I could have ever done,” Maucieri said. “When you have been sick for so long and the bills just keep piling up, it is so nice to have something free offered to you to help you feel better.”
Cancer patients and survivors in the Livestrong program receive free membership for both themselves and their families, work out plans tailored to their unique needs by personal trainers, and access to support group classes with fellow survivors.
“The program was amazing,” Maucieri said. “Not only was the staff positive, supportive, and amazing, the folks in the class were just as amazing.”
Maucieri said through the support network, she bonded with people in all different phases of cancer journey, some still trying to beat it and others in remission. All shared their unique experiences and encouraged each other as they faced treatments.
“I had this warm, secure, safe feeling that I was among friends,” Maucieri said. “On top of that, I had this feeling of hope that somehow, someway things were gonna get better. I realized that the YMCA is not just there for you when you are a little kid, it is there for you through all phases of your life.”
Plano YMCA Campaign Chair Chi Egwuekwe shared some of the key purposes of the 2018 Annual Campaign, including: providing children with a safe place to be after school; kindergarten readiness for preschool age children; youth education of healthy habits; youth participation in sports programs; preserving quality of life and social wellness for seniors; education in diabetes prevention; and free membership for cancer survivors with personalized workouts and fellowship with other survivors.
Under the leadership of Frisco YMCA Annual Campaign Chair Amy Long, the Frisco Y announced that it plans to raise $139,000 this year. By the date of the Kick-Off Party, $56,594 had already been raised, accounting for 41% of the total goal. Those interested in donating to Frisco YMCA’s Annual Campaign may visit www.friscoymca.org or call 214-297-9622.
Submitted press release. Photos by BRN Media.
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