Jennifer Willows spoke about the history of the Y and it's current activities. The Everett YMCA Family Center has been serving the community since 1901. Currently, the structure in downtown Everett isn't big enough to serve the community and is the smallest in the system. Time for a new Everett Y facility. The new building purchased from the Everett School District will be a two story facility with a gym and a pool sitting on an eight acre site at 4701 Colby. A fundraising campaign is underway. The goal is to raise $15 million dollars. To date, the Y has raised $9 million. For both the old and new complex, the target is $27 million dollars.  The sale price of the old building will be around $2 million. Steve & Dru Miller of Lake Stevens are the Chairs of the Capital Campaign.

 

The newest facility is the Stanwood-Camaneo complex which currently has the largest membership in the system. Marysville will need updating in the very near future. Families in Snohomish County rely on the Y because they serve the whole family  with a variety of programs.

 

Kristy Kentch - handles membership development at the Everett Branch. She spoke about various programs including a Friday program that has 30 Special Needs kids using the pool. Lots of training opportunities for a variety of groups and causes. Membership is offered to teens who are on a school district lunch program for $17 a year. There are over 400 kids involved in the health program. Kids who are obese and want to live a more healthy life can get free membership with a note from their doctor which includes life style coaching. Healthy living is a big part of their annual programs.

 

The Y has an Auction that raises over $100,000 annually and Kristy commented that the auction is run by a super woman who is in charge of every facet of the auction fundraising event. We may have to get acquainted with her to see if it can benefit our yearly Wine, Beer and Silent Auction.