YMCA celebrates year’s achievements

EASTON More than 245 members and friends attended the YMCA of Talbot County’s 56th Annual Celebration at the Tidewater Inn’s Gold Room in Easton. The crowd celebrated the YMCA’s achievements this year, which have included: providing more than $285,000 in financial assistance to 3,200 local youth, adults and families; raising $4.1 million in pledges toward a $5 million capital campaign to update Y facilities and build a Teen and Family Center; reaching more than 12,000 members in Talbot County through YMCA memberships and programs; serving more than 10,000 participants in youth sports, working to build a permanent facility in St. Michaels to serve the Bay Hundred area; and partnering with Queen Anne’s and Caroline counties to expand program offerings.

“By all measures, I believe we have had another outstanding year at the YMCA,”

said board Chairman Jerry Jana

“You, our members, have echoed this in our recent annual survey. This survey shows that membership satisfaction has never been higher. … You should also know that the YMCA of the USA views our YMCA among the very best in the country with high-quality leadership in staff and volunteers.”

states Jana

Jana also outlined that the YMCA’s vision for 2020 includes meeting the needs of senior adults, families, and youth and teens while building a community culture of inclusion. This includes the YMCA’s commitment to supporting the diversity of the community by finding ways to bring people together to celebrate each other’s differences.

He also informed the audience that the YMCA board of directors is continuing to work with local officials and key stakeholders to bring a full facility to the St. Michaels area.

“To our staff, I want to say thank you for a job well done this past year,”

said Robbie Gill, CEO of the YMCA of Talbot County

“They have worked hard to bring the very best programs to our Y. I am so proud of them.”

said Gill

A number of awards were given and recognition was made during the celebration, including a thank you to outgoing board member Rodanthe Hanrahan of Easton.

The YMCA’s largest endeavor over the past two years has been its Capital Campaign to fund updated tennis courts, a parking lot behind the YMCA, a new outdoor pavilion, redesigned lobby, and the construction of a new teen and family center. The center is designed to provide programs that build healthy habits for members of all ages.

“We are now launching the final phase of our Capital Campaign to solicit funds from our members and the community,”

said YMCA board member, Kit Hughes, Community Campaign chairman

“Our goal is to raise an additional $1 million over the course of this summer to reach our Capital Campaign goal of $5 million. No contribution is too small.”

Hughes states

For further information about contributing to the YMCA of Talbot County’s Capital Campaign, contact F. Graham Lee, YMCA chief development officer, at 410-822-0566.