LIMA — The Lima Family YMCA’s Annual Campaign got off to a strong start Monday thanks to a generous donation from a local family.
The Y received a $25,000 gift from the family of Glen Webb Jr., a lifelong supporter and former member of the Lima Family YMCA. Webb’s family made the donation in his honor, as he died nearly five years ago.
“The Y was very important to him throughout his life here in Lima, so we just wanted to continue that,” said Glen’s son, Cart Webb.
The $25,000 donation puts the YMCA a quarter of the way to its goal of $100,000. For CEO Jared Lehman, the donation represents a momentous first step in the fundraising process.
“It encourages me that they believe so much in what the Lima Family YMCA is doing,” Lehman said. “It’s great to have people who believe so strongly in what we do here every day, and it makes me even more excited to expand our mission.”
Proceeds from the Annual Campaign will help needy families afford YMCA memberships, Lehman said.
“The money we raise through the Annual Campaign will allow us to expand our reach within the community,” Lehman said. “We want the Y to be a place for everyone, regardless of financial ability to pay for a membership.”
Lehman said the youth of the community will benefit most from funds raised through the campaign, as it will allow for more young people to take advantage of the YMCA’s programs.
In fact, the theme of this year’s campaign is tied to the Zoe for President movement, an initiative organized by the Y to elect a 1-year-old girl named Zoe as commander in chief in 2064.
According to Lehman, Zoe “represents the potential of every child which the Y attempts to foster every day.”
Through the Y’s programs of academic enrichment, mentorship, college prep, job training and more, Lehman said children such as Zoe can be driven to “success beyond what they thought possible,” such as becoming president of the United States.
The 2016 Annual Campaign runs through May 27. To donate, stop by the Lima Family YMCA at 345 S. Elizabeth St., call 419-223-6045, or visit http://limaymca.net.
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