The Community YMCA Launches Annual Strong Kids Campaign

Ermite Germain is grateful for the support The Community YMCA provides her family so that she and her husband can work with peace of mind knowing that their three children are in a safe place after school in a Y program. To ensure that the Y can continue to provide Monmouth County families affordable childcare and other life-enhancing services, The Community YMCA launched its annual community support campaign last week.

President and CEO Rhonda Anderson said financial gifts to the Y during the 8-week campaign will help advance programming and services that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. More importantly, she said, gifts to The Community YMCA make a direct impact on residents right here in our community.

“Through our Strong Kids Campaign, we want to raise awareness that we are more than a place to go to exercise or swim,” Anderson said. “As a charitable nonprofit organization, the Y provides vital services in schools and neighborhoods across Monmouth County, thanks to the support of the community. 

Last year, the community provided over $700,000 in donations that went right back into the community in the form of free and discounted membership and programs. In all, the Y provided $1.5 million in support that enabled 300 kids in Red Bank to develop healthy habits with free Y memberships; 370 children to have a safe place to learn and build confidence after school and at summer day camps; 1,000 individuals to live healthier through access to the Y’s Health & Wellness Center and scores of families to build stronger bonds through counseling and social support services. 

 “The Y contributes to improving the quality of life for families and individuals through a variety of ways that benefit all who live and work in the Monmouth County area,” Anderson said.

This year, The Community YMCA hopes to raise $1 million during the annual campaign, said Strong Kids Campaign Chairperson Jennifer Lakefield. “This will help ensure that the Y is available to those who need us the most and so all children will have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

The campaign will culminate on Friday, April 26 with “Hoops for Hope,” a community basketball tournament from 6-10 p.m. at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College. The tournament will feature a series of basketball matches with NFL athletes, NFL store, silent auction, gift auction, 50/50 raffle and student performers.

Proceeds from the tournament will support both the Y and Lonnie Allgood’s Dreams for Kids, a nonprofit that provides kids character education, role models and self-esteem. Dreams for Kids was founded by Allgood, a former NFL player and graduate of Red Bank Regional High School.

Sponsorships and tickets for the tournament are available here.

To learn more about how you can support the Y’s cause, please contact Stephanie Ferrier, Senior Vice President of Financial Development, at 732.671.5505, ext. 19, sferrier@cymca.org, or click here for more information.

About The Community YMCA

The Y is a leading nonprofit charity that strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Community YMCA serves more than 20,000 residents in greater Monmouth County through programs such as: preschool, before and after school care, health and wellness, leadership, arts enrichment, personal and family counseling and summer day camp. With a mission to serve all, more than $1.5 million in reduced and free membership fees and programs is provided annually by the Y to individuals and families in need. This is made possible through the Y’s financial assistance program, funded by generous donors who have joined our cause to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. For more information, visit TheCommunityYMCA.org.