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Local News

Thursday, March 18, 2010

YMCA to combine fundraising efforts
Horizon Eyecare - Findlay
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Riverside Park pool admission costs and program offerings this summer will depend on how much money the community can pool together, according to Russ Gartner, Findlay Family YMCA president.

In a first for Findlay, the nonprofit YMCA and the city have agreed to work together to open the municipal pool, which was scheduled to remain closed this year because of city budget woes.

But its opening will come at a price to both entities, and that's why the YMCA is planning a fundraising effort.

The city has agreed to front an estimated $53,400 to pay for pool maintenance. It will be dipping into its general fund to do so.

The YMCA will operate the pool, including staffing and programming, and also run the city's youth summer day camp. It expects a $48,000 deficit from these operations.

Rather than organizing a separate fundraising effort to offset the deficit, Gartner said the YMCA has decided to fold the pool effort into its "annual giving campaign," which raises money strictly for programs and services the organization offers. A good portion of the money is used to subsidize YMCA participation by low-income children and families who would otherwise not be able to benefit, he said.

No "annual giving" campaign money goes toward paying a utility bill or into someone's paycheck, Gartner said.

Dollars raised will be used for the YMCA's usual purposes and to offset the group's projected pool deficit.

Riverside pool and summer day camp "scholarships" also may be offered by the YMCA.

Every dollar collected for pool operations will help lower costs, Gartner said. His aim is to get the price of daily admission down to $1 or $2 for kids, from $4 that was charged last season; decrease the cost of group and family passes; and if enough money remains, to extend hours, institute learn-to-swim programs and offer other activities.

"If you charge $4 per day, a lot of people can't afford $100 a month to swim," Gartner said. "We want to get it lower than $4 so that every kid has the capability to say, 'I'm going to come swim today.' We've got to get those fees down if we want to serve everyone."

Volume, in terms of pool patrons and dollars donated, will be the key to doing that, he said.

The middle class is also being kept in mind when it comes to pool admission and program costs, Gartner said. Caught in the middle between wealthier families who can afford private club memberships and the poorer who qualify for financial assistance, middle-income earners especially are in need of services.

"The Y has to wrap their arms around those people by making programs and services accessible and at a price they can afford," Gartner said.

A "capital" campaign this is not, Gartner said. He said the term would imply the YMCA intended to make structural improvements.

"The YMCA is absolutely not going to be repairing, replacing or doing any kind of building at the pool for the city," Gartner said. "The city has been very good about understanding that keeping things in shape out there is their responsibility.

He also wants residents to understand that, rather than bailing the city out of a budget problem, the YMCA's aim is to help the community.

"We're going to do this like a charity, and that means contributed support" by the community rather than just a handful of deep-pocket donors, he said.

The YMCA's annual giving campaign traditionally collects up to $45,000, Gartner said. "This time, we've got to get to upwards of $100,000" for the YMCA to offer what it wants to at the pool, he said.

Recognizing there are many who are not YMCA members, Gartner said donors can earmark donations to go specifically for pool operations. By law, the nonprofit agency must be able to collect and track where those funds go and how they are spent.

Gartner has already started to visit and solicit charitable groups for donations and grants. During the next few weeks, any money coming from them and the community will help the YMCA determine an admission and program schedule for the pool.

What is certain is the pool will open Memorial Day weekend, about two and a half months away, and it will be open seven days a week.

"The community is the missing piece of the puzzle right now," said Gartner. "I hope the community realizes how far our neck is out there. Hopefully they'll be supportive of this. The donor calls the shots."

Those wishing to donate to the YMCA campaign can send checks to Findlay Family YMCA, 300 E. Lincoln St.

Brown: 419-427-8496, Send an e-mail to Joy Brown


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High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

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