YMCA Gets Headstart On Fundraising
Local Chapter Hopes To Raise $600,000 In Founder's Campaign
Last updated Tuesday, May 1, 2007 8:46 PM CDT in News
By Richard Dean Prudenti
The Morning Newes
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BENTONVILLE -- Volunteers for the YMCA of Northwest Arkansas raised approximately $75,000 before the group's founders campaign kickoff Tuesday.
Most of the donations came from individuals, while some came from businesses, said Don Romoser, a member of the new YMCA board.
"We are starting right the first day," Romoser said before the fundraising kickoff at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. "The best part of this whole campaign for the YMCA is that it's a grass roots effort."
The organization hopes in the next month to raise at least $200,000 of the $600,000 needed to build the program over three years.
"I have very high expectations we can do better than that," Romoser said.
The money will allow the program to buy equipment, rent space for an office and hire an executive director to help further fundraising efforts.
"I believe the 'Y' has a very unique mission ... a family- and values-focused mission with opportunities for everyone in the community," Romoser said.
The YMCA offers activities to people of all ages, from the youth swimming lessons to senior health and wellness programs.
Romoser said that during his life he has belonged to at least four YMCAs from one end of the United States to the other, including in Ohio, Illinois, California and New York.
He is married to Sandy Romoser, and they have an 11-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son.
Sixty or so volunteers who belong to the YMCA of Northwest Arkansas asked for support prior to the official kickoff "to get initial commitments and to get momentum and enthusiasm going," said Brad Crain, another board member for the YMCA of Northwest Arkansas.
"Every other major growing community has had active 'Y's over many years, and that's missing in the fabric of this community," Crain said.
The YMCA is intended to serve Northwest Arkansas, not just Bentonville or Benton County, organizers have said.
For more information on the YMCA of Northwest Arkansas, visit www.ymcanwa.org or call 464-3540 or 426-2344. You may e-mail comments to info@ymcanwa.org.
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Too many fundraisers wrote on May 2, 2007 9:33 AM:
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Concerned About Duplication of Services wrote on May 2, 2007 9:30 AM: