YMCA Launches Campaign

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) -       A southern Indiana YMCA with a long and active history kicks off an ambitious fund raising drive.

     The Vincennes Y begins its second century of operations looking to continue programs that provide positive benefits for community residents ranging from kids to senior citizens.

     A campaign to raise $100,000 for those programs is now underway.

     The Vincennes YMCA has done a lot of growing over the last 100 years.

     Now the Y conducts programs that have reached thousands of residents in this community.

     To keep it moving forward and affordable the organization has kicked off a drive to raise $100,000.

     "We have to be optimistic," said Campaign Co-Chair Cindy Helton, "and one of the major portions of our campaign goes to scholarships for children and families that could not afford to use the Y."

     The Vincennes YMCA offers programs from the littlest kids all the way up to senior citizens, and local school officials say that what is offered there is important to them.

     "From the standpoint of the after school daycare programs that they can provide to the opportunity for recreation to our middle school students to the athletic opportunities so that Vincennes Lincoln can operate with an IHSAA sanctioned sport in swimming," said Vincennes Community School Superintendent Greg Parsley.

     Another program that benefits school kids is the Third Grade Y-Water Safety program.

     "It's absolutely essential that we get the kids here and in the water to learn those safety skills," said Franklin Elementary 3rd Grade teacher Amber Sodering, "and the proper method to save others and get them experience in the water."

     The key to keeping all of the positive programs is financial support, and organizers believe so much the community will help them reach their goal that they've planned a victory celebration in April.

     The campaign got off to a jump start with $17,000 already being raised.

    To find out more about the programs, and how to make a donation you can go to www.vincennesymca.org.