Copy of Annual Campaign – Southeastern Indiana YMCA

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Annual Campaign

The Y is more than a gym. It’s a cause. As a 501(c)3 charity, we are dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the community’s health and well being, and giving back and providing support to our neighbors.

The Y uses financial gifts to help individuals and families participate in programs such as early childhood education, summer camp, youth activities including Ninja Kids and swim lessons, as well as family and wellness events through our Income Based Membership program and Child Care Subsidies.

Your gift will help young people achieve their potential, empower people of all ages to lead healthier lives, and strengthen the bonds of our community. If you would like more information on our Y Annual Campaign, please contact Diane Raver at 812-934-6006 or draver@siymca.org

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Sophia Ortiz

SCHOLARSHIPS HELP FAMILIES IN NEED

“The people at the Y are so nice to me all the time,” says Balfred Ortiz, who connected with the Southeastern Indiana YMCA for help after tragedy struck his family and he had to find child care for his daughter, Sofia, 7. In August of last year, a house fire claimed the life of Ortiz’s ex-wife. “My daughter lost her mother,” reports the Batesville resident. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Sofia is now thriving at the Y. “She likes being busy, and playing with the other kids. She needs to grow up with kids the same age and have something to do,” her father reveals. “She enjoys reading and likes drawing pictures.”

During the school year, Sofia participates in Kids Club, the YMCA’s afterschool program, and during the summer is enjoying the Y’s Summer Camp activities. The 7-year-old says swimming is one of her favorite things to do at the YMCA. However, she also spends time “playing with my friends” and likes the activities she does in Summer Camp.

Thanks to donations to the Y’s annual campaign, the Ortiz family received financial assistance, so Sofia is learning and growing in a safe environment. Ortiz credits the Learning Center staff for making a difference in the family’s lives.

Easton Vail

GIVING THOSE IN NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE

After losing her husband to cancer last August, Rebecca Vail was unsure what she was going to do with their son, Easton, 8, over the summer.

“The girls at work were talking about child care and what they were doing with their kids for the summer. I hadn’t really thought about that because I was just going day by day.” She heard them discussing the Southeastern Indiana YMCA’s Summer Camp. They were saying how special the Y’s schedule was, and it sounded really cool. I thought that would be good for Easton to have that structure and have a place to go and have fun,” reports the Laurel resident.

Thanks to the Southeastern Indiana YMCA and donors to its annual campaign, Vail was able to receive financial assistance and send her son to the Y’s Summer Camp. “Easton loves the field trips they take. If they went fishing, he’s definitely going to be telling me about it. Every day he comes home, and it has been an adventure for him. He loves it.”

She is very appreciative of those who made this possible. “You want the best for your kids, and this has been a blessing for Easton to enjoy a summer in the programs they offer and to be helped financially. When families are having a hard time, you are making a difference.”

Nolan

SAFETY AROUND WATER

Eight year old Nolan was absolutely terrified of the water when he first came to the Y. “He couldn’t get near the pool without puking,” says his grandmother, Joan Collins. Collins brought Nolan to the Y because she felt he needed an outlet.

Nolan was three when he and his younger sister lost their father in a car accident, and their mother was not able to take care of them. “I felt he needed a sport, not anything competitive, but something productive, and swimming seemed like the best option. There is water everywhere and it’s such an important life skill.”

“I was sitting in the locker room almost in tears with Nolan because I couldn’t get him near the water,” said Collins. “His instructor found us and said, ‘Please don’t worry, we got this.’ She brought a bucket into the pool in case he got sick. She got Nolan in the water and after a couple lessons, he hasn’t looked back. He quickly advanced from Level 2 to Level 4, and he loves it! It’s amazing to see him do the backstroke. One of his favorite things to do is to find a raft and just float on it. It’s super exciting to see him overcome something. Now he’s ready to take on another sport. It has helped his mind, body and soul.” says Collins.

Brandon Summers

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

Brandon Summers says the Y has made a difference in his life. The Milan High School graduate who attended Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont, recalls, “Once I graduated from high school, I no longer had access to the facilities that our school had, and I needed to find a gym around the area that had the equipment and facilities that would help me prepare for the military and then to stay in shape while I was home from college. The Y was the best in the area.”

“The Y has helped me tremendously by allowing me to stay in shape while I was home. I would come home during the summers, and it provided me with the equipment that could make me physically fit enough for our military. I was always ready to get back to school and show them that the summer had not slowed me down.”

Thanks to annual campaign donations, the Y is able to provide free memberships for active duty military. Summers adds, “I truly appreciate the donors who made my membership free. You do not get rich from serving in the military and to have a community that supports you both financially and through patriotism is amazing. I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to have a membership at the Y.”

Where does the money go?

Continues our tradition of not turning anyone away because they cannot afford a membership or childcare. In 2020, the Y subsidized over $59,362 for memberships and $12,876 in childcare.
2020 was a year like no other, so our staff was proud to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and alter their normal duties to serve in the community.
• Prepared food for over 170 of our community’s children for a week
• Staff made masks for our front line workers.
• 100 bags of trash were picked up around the community.
• Weekly delivered baked goods, cards of appreciation, and other signs of hope and inspiration to grocers, first responders, bankers, nursing homes, health departments, and many others.
Reached out to help other organizations like Safe Passage, Franklin County Humane Society, and Batesville Food Pantry.
And so much more! YOU could make a huge difference in a child, individual, or families' life!