YMCA launches fund-raising campaign

The Trumbull YMCA hopes to raise about $200,000 by March 1.

BY JORDAN COHEN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

WARREN — In the midst of an uncertain economy, the YMCA of Trumbull County will launch one of the largest fund-raising drives in its history Monday.

The goal: $200,000, which it hopes to reach by March 1.

“The economy is certainly an issue, but I’m not sure how much of one it will be,” said Bill Beinecke, board chairman. “We don’t know how it will affect us, but we’re not in a do-or-die situation.”

The Trumbull YMCA, which calls its drive the Campaign for Strength, has published a brochure stating that the money would help retire debt and cover operational costs “including urgently needed facility maintenance and upgrades,” such as locker room renovations, weight room and cardio equipment, and long-range improvements.

In October, the YMCA closed its 30-year-old Eastwood Branch in Niles, leaving only the High Street facility in Warren operational. Beinecke, who is a supervisor at Severstal steel in Warren, said the closing decision has helped improve the organization’s cash flow.

“We were cash positive last month because of the closing, and we feel we can continue that way,” Beinecke said. “This community could not sustain two YMCAs.” The current membership is about 1,170.

Beinecke said the board plans to hire “a third party” to help sell the closed facility, which sits on 11 acres on U.S. Route 422 in Niles.

Despite the improved cash situation, the YMCA has experienced reduced funding from United Way. Wendy Marvin, Trumbull Y interim director, said the charity currently provides the organization with $4,800 per month.

“A few years ago, we were getting more than double that amount,” Marvin said. “It’s not [United Way’s] fault. They just don’t have the money.”

Beinecke said that a successful campaign would enable the YMCA to develop a long-term strategy, which could include plans for a new facility. The Warren Y was built in 1928.

“We’ll need to be here another three to five years, but we can’t stay in this building forever,” Beinecke said.

Michael Bagby, Campaign for Strength chairman, said the Y will rely on a core group to help it compile a list of volunteers to operate the campaign. He indicated that the drive could last longer than February if necessary.

“If we don’t make the goal, some of our long-term plans would have to be extended,” Bagby said, “but running the Y should not be affected.”

In the meantime, the Y has initiated improvements that Marvin said are energy-efficient and should help reduce utility costs. The third floor of the building has been closed and filled with blown-in insulation. Concrete and glass blocks will replace windows along a track above the second-floor basketball court.

“We spent approximately $5,000 for those repairs, but I guarantee you we’ll get that back in just a couple of months,” Marvin said. “These changes should cut our heating costs from 25 [percent] to 40 percent.

“We’ve made some tough decisions so people will know this is not a losing cause.”