February 10th marked the beginning of The Valparaiso Family YMCA’s Annual Campaign –“Be a Superhero”-Help Us Help Kids! HELP US HELP KIDS, kicked off on Tuesday, February 10th. The Y is thankful to Dawn and Dave Collins, who will again chair the our 2015 Annual Community Assistance Campaign. "With a campaign goal of $225,000, to address the need in our community, it is important we have strong campaign leadership, and we know that Dawn and Dave Collins are up to the challenge,” said Bob Wanek, CEO Valparaiso Family YMCA. The goal this year is $225,000.00.
Along with Dawn and Dave Collins, and community leaders the co-chairs of the campaign, division leaders are: Tom Kennedy, Helga Morton, Tom Newton, John Schoening and Dr. Jack Felton, who serve as division leaders, led teams of community volunteers in a “phonathon” to help raise these funds. Pledged donations will ultimately benefit over 2000 members of our community. The first event was held on January 31st – The YBASH, held on Saturday, January31st, featured the area’s largest silent auction and attended by over 350 guests, raised over $50,000. This event helped get the fund off to 15% of the $225,000.00 goal.
The YBASH Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor and Partner in Wellness, Methodist Hospital. Gold sponsors included: UnitedHealthcare and Porter Health System,Silver Sponsor: was BMO Harris Bank, the Entertainment Sponsor: was Urschel Laboratories, the Hors d’oeuvres Sponsor: was 1 Guy With Tools, the Decoration Sponsor: was Jacki Stutzman and Media Sponsor: was The Times Media Company. The Crystal sponsors were Laura and Jim Hrusovksy and NIPSCO – Bailly Generation Station. NIPSCO, Bailly Generating Station and Laura and Jim Hrusovsky were Crystal Sponsors. The Icicle sponsors included: 1st Source Bank, Task Force Tips and Porter-Starke Services, Inc. Family Express Corporation provided their infamous coffee bar. Guests also enjoyed chocolate dipped fruits generously donated by Edible Arrangements. Edible Arrangements donated chocolate dipped fruit. Many thanks to for all our generous sponsors who helped make made the night a success.
This The Annual Campaign assists the Y in providing scholarship assistance to low income individuals, those with disabilities, and social service agencies so that everyone who seeks better health and well-being has access to the facilities and programs of the Valparaiso Family YMCA. It is the Mission of the Y that no individual be turned away due to the inability to pay. Through this commitment and the generosity of our supporters, we are able to give back $4 to the community for every $1 that is donated to this cause. In 2014, over $284,000.00 was given in financial assistance to our community.
To make a contribution or for information about the Annual Community Assistance Campaign, please contact Donna Demko at ddemko@valpoymca.org 219 462 4185, ext. 351.