CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — With $370,000.00 remaining to be raised for the new full-service Clarion County YMCA, success is near, but community support remains vital.
The major gift portion of the total campaign raised approximately 89 percent of the $8.1 million goal, and the current Community Campaign now becomes a critical link in reaching the remaining $370,000.00 goal.
After a few weeks of the community efforts, $93,000.00 has been raised in gifts or a commitment to 25 percent of the community campaign goal.
“We have had much publicity about the major $50,000.00 gifts raised in the initial months of the campaign, but the Community Campaign seeking gifts in the $5,000.00 to $20,000.00 range are just as important as we seek donors to help make a new full-service YMCA a reality and go the last 10 yards,” said Jeff McCombie, Chair of the Community Gifts Phase. “As we close in on the final stages of fundraising towards the full-service YMCA, we want to emphasize that all gifts matter.”
“We’re trying to give everyone the opportunity to be educated and informed on the latest plans for the new YMCA. We are still raising funds, yes, but it is also vital to educate our community and let them know what’s going on with the YMCA, so everyone has the facts about the project. We want everyone to have a chance to participate in the campaign. That’s important.”
The community phase is led by a dedicated group of 15 volunteers who will also focus on educating the public about the campaign. A grass root campaign will follow later this year to focus on remaining gifts.
Community Campaign Phase Committee members include: Curly Beary, Fred Cherico, Layne Giering, Todd Glenn, Jeff McCombie, Rhonda McMillen-Toth, Dennyse Mehta, Michelle Murray, Cindy Nellis, Marsha Ray, Jodi Rhea, Marcy Schlueter, Dave Sentner, Dave Simpkins, and Steve Young.
Campaign leaders also emphasized that qualified local contractors and sub contractors will be able to bid on the project when the project is let for bids next Spring.
Another part of the remaining campaign is a grant request from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“We are now waiting on passage of the state budget and notification of awards from the RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) Grant,” said Milissa Bauer and Al Lander, campaign cabinet co-chairs. “Because the amount of a possible grant award and the state requirements for construction are unclear, we are waiting until the grant amount is determined to develop the final shape of the project, including the building design.”
A team of committed individuals joined the co-chairs during the major gift phase. The team members include Jim Crooks, Rick Goble, Don Lewis, John Mason, Dennyse Mehta, Ralph Montana, Mike Patton, and Jesse Kelley, Director of the Clarion County YMCA.
Milissa and Al thank the cabinet for all of their hard work educating the community on the project that led to securing over $1.5 million in donations. This money is being committed not only from the Clarion Area, but also from all parts of Clarion County, including Emlenton, Fryburg, Knox, Lucinda, New Bethlehem, Shippenville, and Strattanville.
The community campaign is consistent with the campaign team approach. As Bauer and Lander stated in the original press conference that launched the campaign, the success of this project will depend on everyone coming together as a team. The Community Campaign is the next step in creating a Clarion County team. It is an invitation for everyone to play a part in creating a full service Clarion County YMCA.
The campaign’s silent phase raised over $5.4 million (almost 70 percent) from lead gifts and commitments by a small group of key individuals, including more than $600,000.00 in pledges from the local YMCA Board.
Most of the campaign commitments are from local community businesses, families, and organizations that have made substantial donations.
The $8.1 million full-service Clarion County YMCA will be located near Exit 62 of I-80 and the Clarion Oaks Golf Course.
The new project, among other facilities, will include a swimming pool that will provide lap swimming, therapy, swimming lessons, and other year-round recreation activities at the YMCA.
An official groundbreaking will be held in Spring 2016. Completion of the project is expected within approximately 12 to 18 months from groundbreaking.
For more information about the campaign, contact Campaign Communications Coordinator Cindy Nave at 814-226-9722 or clarioncountyymca.org.
