Greater Somerset County YMCA officially kicked off its annual campaign fundraising efforts for 2021 on Feb. 10 with a virtual event for donors, volunteers, members and staff that highlighted accomplishments for 2020, and set the new 2021 fundraising goal of $1,150,000.
“Throughout 2020, I was reminded of the importance of a strong community where neighbors count on each other and support one another for the good of all,” Greater Somerset County YMCA President and CEO David M. Carcieri said in a prepared statement. “Last year, despite being challenged financially, the Y charged forward to address urgent community needs and support vulnerable neighbors.”
The Y created a foundation of support for vulnerable populations through its food security project, emergency child care for essential workers, outreach to senior citizens and individuals with special needs, and many more vital services.
In 2020, the Y provided $1,270,619 in direct financial assistance and community program support. Greater Somerset County YMCA’s impact included, but was not limited to:
- 32 children in emergency child care for essential workers with 100% of children receiving subsidy
- 133 students enrolled in full-day academic support for remote learning; 1 in 3 receiving financial assistance
- 1,289 students grades K–8 participated in virtual after care and tutoring
- 2,085,350 meals distributed to food insecure neighbors
- 12,642 pounds of food collected for local food banks
- 76 hours of career support through the Y’s Career Forum Program with 621 unemployed participants
- 7,286 connections with senior citizens, cancer patients, and individuals with special needs to ensure health and safety while also mitigating feelings of social isolation
- 300-plus virtual, outdoor and live fitness classes offered monthly
- 18 blood drives and 540 pints of blood collected
“As a nonprofit organization, the Y is a vital cornerstone of our community,” Annual Campaign Chair Ana Duarte-McCarthy, who is also a member of Greater Somerset County YMCA’s Board of Directors, said in the statement. “The Y transforms lives every day, particularly the lives of vulnerable neighbors. When donors give to the Y, they help change the trajectory of lives.”
One hundred percent of the Y’s Annual Campaign donations go directly to community. The funds support financial assistance for child care and summer camp, mission-based services such as rehabilitation programs for cancer patients, enrichment programs for individuals with special needs, employment support for the unemployed and more, according to the statement.
The Y seeks to continue these initiatives throughout 2021. As of Feb. 10, Greater Somerset County YMCA reached 45% of its overall fundraising goal for 2021.
“While the Y’s work in 2020 was certainly inspiring, there’s still a lot more to be done,” Board of Director Chair Alexandra Rebay said in the statement. “The Y has always been an organization that has walked or ran toward every challenge – responding to our community’s needs is ingrained in the mission and history of the organization – it’s who we are and it’s what we need to do. We need to continue to step up and act consistent with our long legacy.”
For more information about the Y’s Annual Campaign or to make a gift, contact Chief Philanthropy Officer Kelly Castro at [email protected] or 908-630-3535, ext. 100, or visit www.gscymca.org/give.