YMCA SouthCoast Launches Annual Day of Giving Campaign, Announces Big Goals

On Tuesday, March 7, YMCA SouthCoast kicked off its annual Day of Giving with Fun 107 to encourage the community to give back to the local Y.

The Day of Giving is merely the starting point of a year-long effort to raise as much money as possible for the SouthCoast community.

YMCA SouthCoast aims to raise $100,000 this month and $825,000 for the year.

Get our free mobile app

What is the Day of Giving?

“Today is about raising money for our annual campaign, and that money goes right back to our members and the community members to take part in any of our programs,” said Tara Pacheco, manager of the YMCA’s New Bedford location. “Every dollar raised, not just today, goes right back to the people we serve here.”

From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, community members can visit any of the six YMCA SouthCoast branches, participate in branch activities and donate in person.

An All-Year Campaign

If today doesn’t work out for you, no problem. The Day of Giving is only the kickstart to a year’s worth of campaigning for local YMCA locations. Funds raised this year will support YMCA SouthCoast’s annual goal of $825,000.

“Donations will always support what the Y is known for – community swim lessons for children and families, LIVESTRONG courses for cancer survivors, and fitness classes for seniors,” YMCA New Bedford said in a statement. “These are the pillars of our work, but a donation also might help feed someone who is grateful just to eat.”

How Your Donation Helps the Community

Last year, the Y was able to provide over $850,000 of financial aid through YCares Membership for All, childcare, camp and swimming. A donation of any amount helps a program like YCares continue.

“Fifty dollars teaches a kid to swim for the first time ever,” said Pacheco. “Once a month, we host a food market, so any money raised will provide food for a family in need. Just $50 provides 25-30 pounds of food for community members through the hunger relief program.”

These are just a few examples of how far a donation can go at the Y, but every single donation will have a significant impact on a member of the SouthCoast community.

How to Donate

Stop by any of the six YMCA SouthCoast branches to donate in person. Donations can also be made online on the YMCA SouthCoast website, or by texting YGIVE23 to 243725.