Strong Kids Campaign kicks off

Staff report

BOARDMAN

The YMCA of Youngstown is kicking off its Strong Kids Campaign on Saturday with an evening of gourmet food, dancing, auctions, a 50/50 raffle and live entertainment provided by Geo C and Tha Storm.

The event is at 7 p.m. at The Georgetown, 5945 South Ave. The public is invited to come and enjoy themselves as they support the Y. Tickets are $50 in advance or $75 at the door. Visit www.youngstownymca.org to purchase tickets or for more information.

The YMCA of Youngstown has a policy that no one needing its facilities or programs is turned away for lack of money.

To make sure paying members are not forced to shoulder the financial burden of that policy, the “Strong Kids Campaign” came into being, enabling thousands of Mahoning Valley children to have swimming lessons, organized sports leagues and access to health and wellness equipment and information, said Tim Hilk, YMCA chief executive officer.

Janice JanJanin, a member of the YMCA Board, is volunteer chairwoman of the campaign, the goal of which is $185,000.