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The Andover YMCA is raising money, support and awareness for its annual Strong Kids campaign with the goal of raising $200,000 by March 1.
Andover’s goal is part of a larger goal. The Greater Wichita YMCA, which covers the entire metropolitan area, is hoping to raise $2 million.
So far, the Andover YMCA has raised around $140,000 to $145,000. Fundraising efforts got a big boost last weekend through a bowling event at North Rock in Wichita, which drew close to 1,200 people, said Adam Kahrl, executive director of the Andover YMCA. (See photo gallery on andoveramerican.com.)
Money raised will help the non-profit community organization fund the many programs it sponsors, such as daycare, after school programs and summer camps. The funding also allows the Y to offer memberships, youth sports and class enrollments on a sliding fee scale for people needing financial assistance.
All of these services come under the umbrella of the Strong Kids campaign, Kahrl said.
“There are so many things we do with the money we raise,” Kahrl said. “Instead of fundraisers for 20 different programs, we bundle the money together under one. Basically, we’re applying assistance to your neighborhood Y. Strong Kids is the vehicle that delivers access for all that.”
Around 14,000 people have signed up for memberships with the Andover YMCA since it opened in May of 2009 and around 16 to 20 percent of those people receive financial assistance, Kahrl said. By offering memberships and class fees on a sliding fee scale, the Y is able to reach people who otherwise would not benefit from its programs, Kahrl said.
Kahrl was quick to add that people do not have to get memberships to qualify for financial assistance. In other words, if a person wants to take a fitness class or enroll her child in a sports program, she can do that and pay at a sliding fee rate, regardless of whether she has a membership.
Many people who enroll their children in sports programs do go on to become members, Kahrl said, but they don’t have to.
“Word of mouth is the best promotion, “ Kahrl said. “Parents of kids talk about how much they love it.”
Volunteers also get the word out, Kahrl said. Every year when the YMCA begins its fundraising drive, the board of directors will call other members, explain the services the Y provides, such as child care for single parents, and the person will say, “I know somebody who needs that.”
The Andover YMCA is raising money, support and awareness for its annual Strong Kids campaign with the goal of raising $200,000 by March 1.
Andover’s goal is part of a larger goal. The Greater Wichita YMCA, which covers the entire metropolitan area, is hoping to raise $2 million.
So far, the Andover YMCA has raised around $140,000 to $145,000. Fundraising efforts got a big boost last weekend through a bowling event at North Rock in Wichita, which drew close to 1,200 people, said Adam Kahrl, executive director of the Andover YMCA. (See photo gallery on andoveramerican.com.)
Money raised will help the non-profit community organization fund the many programs it sponsors, such as daycare, after school programs and summer camps. The funding also allows the Y to offer memberships, youth sports and class enrollments on a sliding fee scale for people needing financial assistance.
All of these services come under the umbrella of the Strong Kids campaign, Kahrl said.
“There are so many things we do with the money we raise,” Kahrl said. “Instead of fundraisers for 20 different programs, we bundle the money together under one. Basically, we’re applying assistance to your neighborhood Y. Strong Kids is the vehicle that delivers access for all that.”
Around 14,000 people have signed up for memberships with the Andover YMCA since it opened in May of 2009 and around 16 to 20 percent of those people receive financial assistance, Kahrl said. By offering memberships and class fees on a sliding fee scale, the Y is able to reach people who otherwise would not benefit from its programs, Kahrl said.
Kahrl was quick to add that people do not have to get memberships to qualify for financial assistance. In other words, if a person wants to take a fitness class or enroll her child in a sports program, she can do that and pay at a sliding fee rate, regardless of whether she has a membership.
Many people who enroll their children in sports programs do go on to become members, Kahrl said, but they don’t have to.
“Word of mouth is the best promotion, “ Kahrl said. “Parents of kids talk about how much they love it.”
Volunteers also get the word out, Kahrl said. Every year when the YMCA begins its fundraising drive, the board of directors will call other members, explain the services the Y provides, such as child care for single parents, and the person will say, “I know somebody who needs that.”
Businesses are also contacted and told about projects they might not know about, such as the STARS program, which teaches job skills to teenagers, and these businesses then go on to donate money and items for silent auctions, Kahrl said.
The YMCA serves more than70,000 people in the Wichita metropolitan area and over 100 of its programs, such as its after school projects, are offered off-site, Kahrl said. That is the kind of thing volunteers spread the word about.
“Raising money is as important as telling a story,” Kahrl said. “With volunteers and staff telling a story, we’re raising awareness and getting support.”
If you are interested in helping out with the Strong Kids campaign, contact Kahrl at (316) 733-9622 or adam@wichitaymca.org.
