Hamden/North Haven YMCA Kicks Off Annual Fundraising Campaign

Press release from Central Connecticut Coast YMCA:

Aug. 31, 2020

The Hamden/North Haven YMCA, a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, is kicking off the community phase of their Annual Campaign on September 1, 2020. The Campaign will raise funds for YMCA memberships, programs and services to help support youth in the Hamden and North Haven community.

Twenty-five percent of the Hamden and North Haven YMCA youth and families receive financial aid for school age child care, before and after school care, safety around water and swim lessons, summer camp and more. Donations collected help provide Y services to the families and children that need it the most.

Hamden/North Haven Y Board of Directors volunteer, Lenny Lye, a Hamden native, is leading the Y 2020 Annual Campaign. As chair, Lenny will work in the community with donors, prospects and funding partners to help the Y fulfill its promise to serve all, regardless of their ability to pay. “I’m excited and honored to serve. I volunteer because it gives me a chance to give back to our community. As a locally grown business person, I have many times come in contact with families with needs only the Y would be able to handle. Before and after School programs or swimming lessons that's what Y provides. Their programs promote the overall well-being of people and families. The Annual Campaign helps me connect other like- minded people and businesses with the Y through sharing our Y story and helping us continue our mission,” said Lye.

“The Hamden/North Haven YMCA and YMCA Camp Mt. Laurel seek to strengthen our communities for kids and families. We give everyone the opportunities they need to reach their full potential,” said Darryl J. Brackeen, Jr. District Executive Director Hamden/North Haven YMCA and New Haven YMCA Youth Center. “Forty-percent of Connecticut residents do not earn enough income to cover their household living expenses. Being a member of the YMCA should not be one of the expenses a family cannot afford. The Y welcomes all regardless of ability to pay and your gift makes this possible. In order to reach their greatest health, academic and development potential, they need your help!”

This year, the Hamden/North Haven Y hopes to raise $35,000. While temporarily closed during the worst of the Connecticut Covid-19 Pandemic, the Hamden/North Haven Y did not collect membership dues to help those with financial hardships. Also during this time, the Y offered programs virtually, assisted members of our community with food insecurity, collaborated with other local nonprofits to meet the needs of members of our town while making hundreds of outreach calls to seniors and families providing emotional, academic and physical support to the community.

“Donations to our 2020 Annual Campaign are more important than ever!” said Amy Wiltsie, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Annual Campaign Director. “The Y is committed to our community and serving everyone in it. With so many families financially affected by recent events, many more will need the YMCA for overall wellness, child care and support.”

In 2019, the Hamden/North Haven Y taught 400 youth how to be safe in around the water; cared for 550 children before and after school and shared the summer with 600 children at YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel.

To learn more about the great work being done by the Hamden/North Haven YMCA, to donate and the volunteer, please visit www.hnhymca.org or call 203 248 6361. Donations can also be mailed to the YMCA, 1605 Sherman Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514 attention; Darryl J. Brackeen, Jr.

This press release was produced by Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. The views expressed here are the author's own.