Dear Editor,

Let me be direct: Our Y needs your support. Thursday marks the beginning of our annual fund drive and your giving has never been more important. The Y provides many programs throughout the year to benefit the entire community and we need everyone’s financial support to fund these much-needed programs.

While the Y certainly provides ample venues for working out and physical fitness, that is only a small part of what the Y does for Selma. There are programs for every age group, both in the area of fitness and also in enrichment opportunities for young and old. The Y partners with the public schools in several areas, including this past summer’s program which made free swimming lessons available to all fourth grade children in Selma. Currently, third grade at-risk students are being tutored after school to help them catch up with their peers in their school work. In addition, adult mentors are enriching the lives of children by meeting them on a weekly basis, opening new vistas to them and giving them support in their daily lives. The Y offers basketball, soccer and football for children in grades Kindergarten through sixth-grade, and summer camp is always popular as well.

And the list goes on.

Adult programs include a variety of fitness classes in the water and in the various workout rooms. Classes include yoga, spinning, Zumba, kickboxing, step-cardio, total toning and Silver Sneakers.  Occasionally, classes are offered in cooking, flower arranging and a women’s health expo.

However, the most important thing the Y does is often overlooked: It provides true community at a time when Selma is so terribly divided. The bottom line is at the Y everybody gets along with everybody else. Members enjoy each other’s company and friendship. People who otherwise would never have met each other become friends and truly learn to care about one another. The Y experience has been very rewarding for me and for many others. I invite you all to give it a try and you will see for yourselves.

All of these programs require money to keep them going, not to mention that the facility is now 12-years-old and any things are wearing out and need replacement. It takes numerous employees to keep the programs staffed and the utilities are very expensive. Membership dues and fees charged pay for less than half of what it takes to keep the Y solvent, so financial support from the community is critical.

All things considered, please donate to the Y and be as generous as you can. Volunteers will be calling on people in the community for donations. If you are not contacted directly, please give anyway. We need everyone’s support. The Y has no boundaries. It benefits all races, ages, religions and all cultures. In summary, the Y is here for the entire community, not just one segment and we need everyone’s support.

Please be generous. Remember, your gift is tax-deductible.

All donations can be mailed in at 1 YMCA Drive in Selma.

Sincerely,

Patty DeBardeleben

Member of the YMCA Board of Directors