Tag Archives: GIVE

Be a Part of Something B.I.G.

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Believe. Inspire. Give.

Let me first start by saying THANK YOU.  Thank you for your continued support of the Fond du Lac Family YMCA and of our mission.  Our Y is dedicated to serving “ALL,” and in order to truly do that, the support from our community is vital.

In 2018, our YMCA raised over $260,000 towards our Annual Campaign, which helped us to advance our mission.  However, did you know that our programs and initiatives supported the Fond du Lac community at a total value of over a half a million dollars last year?  That is a staggering number, and shows how important it is for the Y to receive support, in order to carry out our mission,
building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

What contributes to this half million dollars of impact? Initiatives such as our “Membership for All Program” which offers membership assistance, “Programs for All” which offers program assistance, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a free program for cancer survivors, Healthy Living Program referrals, free swim lessons for Child Care and Boys and Girls Club children, program partnerships with community organizations such as the ARC and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and much more.

These examples of programs and partnerships are the CORE of what we do as a YMCA, and helps us to provide access and support to ALL.  Through the support of our community, regardless of age, income or background.  Our community need is higher than ever before, and we are dedicated to furthering our reach and helping even more in 2019.  The more funds we can raise, the more support we can offer the Fond du Lac community.

Beginning on April 15th, our “Community” phase of the Y’s Annual Campaign kicks off, and runs through May 10th. During this time, you will see and hear about the impact that your dollars have made, through the programs and assistance we are able to make available. Our main goal for this month is to raise awareness, and to raise community funds to help support our efforts.

Do you BELIEVE in our mission and creating a stronger community? Are you INSPIRED by a Y story of impact, or have one that you can share with us? Are you willing to GIVE a donation, to help us raise money to support our important community programs and initiatives?

Thank you for your continued support of advancing our mission.  A strong Fond du Lac Family YMCA, in turn, means a strong community.

With gratitude,

J.J. Raflik, CEO/Executive Director, Fond du Lac Family YMCA

“My Y Week” activities planned at the Fond du Lac Family YMCA beginning March 7th

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From exercise to education, from volleyball to volunteering, from preschool to preventive health, the Y doesn’t just strengthen bodies – it strengthens community.  Your contribution keeps the Y available for people who need us most. We count on the generosity of our members and community to help people of all ages and from all walks of life be more healthy, confident, connected and secure.  When you give to the YMCA Annual Campaign, 100% of your gift goes toward making a meaningful, enduring impact right here in the Fond du Lac area.

The Fond du Lac Family YMCA has a week of activities planned during “My Y Week”, taking place Monday, March 7th through Saturday, March 12th to raise awareness and funds for the Y’s annual campaign.  Kim Laws, Director of Financial Development at the Y says, “My Y Week is a fun filled week designed to educate our members and the community about the impact the Y makes in people’s lives.  There are lots of fun opportunities to support our Annual Campaign efforts, as well as activities where the Y is able to give back to our members. We invite everyone to take part and enjoy!”

All week long the Y will be holding a Fitness Fundraising Challenge, with eight fitness classes or groups of fitness classes competing to see which class can raise the most funds.  The top fundraising fitness group will not only earn bragging rights, but will be recognized on a banner with participating classes pictured on the banner. This winning banner will be hung in one of the Y’s workout studios for a full year.  Kickboxing class won in 2015 and Zumba/Sh’Bam classes won in 2014.  New group fitness class releases are kicked off this week for the following Les Mills programs:   BODYATTACK, BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, CXWORX, GRIT SERIES CLASSES, RPM, SH’BAM and ZUMBA.  Les Mills BODYFLOW, the newest class being offered at the Y, will be officially launched.

“My Y Week” kicks off on Monday, March 7th with a free campaign kick-off breakfast, offering healthy items for members and guests from 6:00-9:00 a.m. in the Y’s lobby.  During the week, silent auction baskets will be up for bid, located in the lobby.  Menchie’s frozen yogurt is offering 5% of all sales made during this week to benefit the Y’s Annual Campaign.

On Tuesday, March 8th the Y will hold a LIVESTRONG Lemonade Stand, hosted by the Y’s Child Watch children.  Grab a refreshing glass of lemonade when making a donation to the Annual Campaign.  There will also be a Family Movie Night offered for members and guests beginning at 5:30 pm in the community gym.  A  family friendly movie will be played and attendees are invited to bring their own pillows, blankets and snacks while viewing the movie.

On Wednesday, March 9th the Y will host “Bike for a Better Us.”  Members and guests can cheer on Y staff & members, board members and community leaders as they take turns biking on indoor bikes for 13 hours, from 6:00 am – 7:00 pm in the Y’s main lobby, to help build awareness of how the Annual Campaign supports our community.  Panera Bread will be donating a portion of their sales made from 4:00-8:00 pm to the Y Annual Campaign on the 9th.

Thursday, March 10th is “Healthy Snack Day” at the Y.  Purchase healthy snacks from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm in the Y’s main lobby.  Recipes for healthy dishes will be available for free, to go along with your farmer’s market purchases, at the Produce with Purpose indoor market at the Y.  Also on March 10th, Domino’s will donate a portion of their pizza sales to the Annual Campaign, of sales made from 4:00-8:00 pm.

Friday, March 11th is Photo Booth Friday at the Y.  Strike a pose, let us snap a pic, and help us spread the word of what the Y means to you, via Social Media, by sharing your photo in support of the Y. The booth will be set up in the Y main lobby.

Begin Saturday, March 14th at the Y for the Fitness Fundraising Frenzy.  Join us to wrap up “My Y Week” with a frenzy of activity including a special group fitness class schedule offering 30 minute workouts and free group training classes with personal trainers.  Try out a class new to you or give a personal training class a try.  Space is limited for these classes and registration is not required.  This special class schedule can be found online at fdlymca.org .