Fundraising goal surpassed for new windows at YMCA

July 23, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

The emergency fund drive to replace 30 original windows in the 84-year old Warren-Trumbull YMCA has exceeded its $7,500 goal, and replacements should be installed by mid-August.

The campaign actually netted more than $9,700 dollars, and the balance will be used for other badly needed repairs, according to Rich Denamen, YMCA interim director.

“I’m pleasantly surprised at how quickly we were able to raise the money,” Denamen said. “People really stepped up.”

The 30 single-pane windows were installed when the High Street facility was built in 1928. Denamen said the windows were not energy efficient and among the reasons for high energy bills in the winter and summer that averaged between $13,000 and $15,000 per month. Vista Windows of Warren will manufacture the new triple-pane, double-hung window replacements, which an engineering study has projected will save the YMCA approximately $10,500 annually.

The campaign sold individual window sponsorships of $250 with the names of sponsors to be permanently etched in dusted crystal script in a corner of the window. Denamen said the fundraising drive received a major boost when the Niles Walgreen’s Store on Youngstown-Warren Road contributed $2,500 for 10 windows.

“We saw the story about the drive in The Vindicator last month and thought this could be a good partnership for us because we’re both into wellness,” said Steve Sheronovich, store manager. “We also plan to host flu-shot clinics at the Y twice a month beginning in September.”

Denamen said the YMCA will make other improvements with the additional $2,750 brought in by the campaign. They include resurfacing of a large gymnasium floor and replacement of another floor in an all-purpose room where spinning (cycling) classes take place. “We’ll be able to do that one with all volunteers,” Denamen said. The deteriorating exterior of the foundation facing High Street also will be repaired.

However, the director said the repairs should be considered “cosmetic surgery” for a building in need of massive improvements.

“Just like cosmetic surgery, you might be able fix up one section or body part, but there will still be issues with age and internal organs,” Denamen said. “We’re just improving an old building that has an aging infrastructure.”