The reasons ‘Y’ it is a good cause

By Jon Moffett

A monthlong charity effort has been launched for the YMCA and its programs.

YOUNGSTOWN — The YMCA has a different appeal to everyone who has been there.

For Kricket and Brian Downie of Poland, the “Y” and its programs brought them together.

“My husband and I actually met because we both worked at Camp Fitch,” Kricket said. “So we through the years have stayed friends and eventually got married.”

The couple, along with their 11-month-old son, Rowan, attended the YMCA’s annual kickoff celebration for the Partner of Youth Campaign program.

The program helps raise funds to provide financial assistance to families who may not be able to afford the “Y.” The money goes toward memberships and other programs, such as the YMCA-owned Camp Fitch.

The event, Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Youngstown, was the kickoff to monthlong series of events raise funds. Money will be distributed to the YMCA’s central branch in downtown Youngstown, the D.D. & Velma Davis Family branch in Boardman and Camp Fitch in North Springfield, Pa.

“We are kicking off our annual sustaining campaign,” said Tom Grantonic, director of the Davis branch. “The YMCA is committed to not turning anyone away just because they can’t necessarily afford to pay for a program or membership. So, we depend on volunteers from the community, from within our own membership, to go out there and raise the funds necessary to be able to support those folks.”

Though the event Thursday was only the beginning of a month of events, Grantonic said the dinner was a crucial part of the entire process.

“First of all, the event itself brings all the volunteers together in one place,” he said. “You kind of get charged up and we explain some of the logistics of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

Paul Harkey of Ohio Edison is the campaign chair and was the guest speaker for the event. Along with Harkey, testimonials were given from people who have benefited from funding in the past. Approximately 150 volunteers and staff attended the event.

“I’m humbled and proud that there are so many people here tonight,” Harkey said. “With it being a cold night, there are an awful lot of warm hearts here that are spending their time and effort to help the less fortunate people in our community.”

The goal for this year’s campaign is to raise $150,000 to be divided among the three sites. Last year, the “Y” was able to achieve the same goal, but Grantonic acknowledged this year’s goal might be difficult.

“It’s going to be tougher, though, [this year] because of tougher times,” he said. “But it’s all the more important now.”

In 2008, the YMCA was able to serve financial assistance for memberships to 643 youths, 265 families, 484 adults, 177 children with disabilities and 96 adults with disabilities.

Harkey told a story of coaching a youth basketball team for his sons. He said the team grew very close and, one Christmas, some of the players purchased new tennis shoes for their teammates because they couldn’t afford them. Harkey said the “Y” teaches children how to grow together.

“I’ve been involved with the ‘Y’ since I was 8 years old,” he said. “I can remember as a young person the ‘Y’ was the first place you got a chance to interact with other kids, and that’s truly a growing experience.”

Thursday’s event was the precursor to another event.

The Spin-A-Thon will take place from 7:15 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. today at the central branch on Champion Street. The event raised about $55,000 last year and is the biggest event of the month.

“Riders have to raise at least $50 in order to ride for an hour,” Grantonic said. “Now, there are some that will ride for all six or seven hours, so they’ve got to raise $50 times that many hours. That’s a big event.”

Events such as the Spin-A-Thon are designed to ensure the YMCA’s availability to everyone, especially future generations like Rowan’s.

“For this Partner of Youth program, we really want to support it because we know what a difference it made in our lives,” Kricket said. “Even if it impacts one kid and gives them that opportunity, we want to be able to provide that experience to them because it means so much to our lives.”

Brian said, “For us we’re always looking for ways to give back ... It was such a great experience for us that we want to make sure we help other people have that experience.”

The Downies made sure the tradition of appreciating YMCA programs continues with at least one member of the younger generation.

Rowan has already been to Camp Fitch twice.

jmoffett@vindy.com