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A lot has changed since the YMCA of the Kanawha Valley opened its doors in 1907, yet one thing remains the same: our passion to improve lives in our community.
At the YMCA, our values and purpose drive everything we do. As a charity, we have championed the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We have provided a safe, inclusive environment for people of all ages, regardless of circumstances. Helping people develop a healthy spirit, mind and body and inspiring a sense of social responsibility are the cornerstones of our legacy of caring.
Our YMCA’s long and successful track record would never have been possible, were it not for a caring community of individuals and organizations that support the YMCA with their time and charitable gifts. Donations help our YMCA to provide more needed services to more people, greater accessibility, better programs and facilities, and financial assistance to those who might not otherwise be able to afford our facility and participate in our programs.
At the forefront of the YMCA philosophy is the promise to never turn away anyone for inability to pay. In 2004, our donors invested generously to that promise. Thanks to donors like you, $165, 479 in community assistance was provided last year to families and individuals in need.
- 1,456 kids were offered assistance to participate in programs
- 284 kids were offered assistance to attend Y Summer Camp
- 187 families were offered assistance for YMCA membership
- 878 individuals were offered assistance for YMCA membership
Your donations provide needed funding for community-based programs and services. These include sending kids to summer day camp and sports camp, providing preschool, child care and after-school care and expanding the youth leadership development and mentoring programs, to name a few. The YMCA is about much more than just athletics.
SPIRIT OF THE VALLEY ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Each year the YMCA runs an annual support campaign, Spirit of the Valley. The purpose of the campaign is two fold. First, it is to honor an individual from the community who has exemplified what Saint Francis called a life of “charity and wisdom, patience and humility.” The 2005 Spirit of the Valley recipient is the late John M. Wells, Jr who was honored at a luncheon on August 17, 2005. Secondly, the campaign is to raise money for the YMCA Community Assistance Scholarship Program, allowing children and families to participate in YMCA programs and membership despite their inability to pay.
ENDOWMENT GIVING
The YMCA of the Kanawha Valley’s Endowment Fund provides a perpetual source of income to ensure that less fortunate youth or families will be able to participate as members or in programs despite their inability to pay. All principle is invested and the income generated will be used to perpetuate the YMCA mission and its guiding motto of building strong kids, strong families, and a strong community.
THE YMCA ENDOWMENT FUND
In 1907, the local Charleston chapter of the YMCA was established. Since that time, local philanthropists began making charitable gifts to the YMCA and established the YMCA Endowment Fund. The overall Endowment is comprised of four separate funds. Of the two sizeable funds, one was established in the 1950’s called the Henderson L. Peebles Fund; the other established in the 1980’s called the Dewey E. Kuhn Fund. Two smaller funds, the Johnny Barker Fund and the Andrew Meyers Fund were established in 2001 and 2003, respectively. As of June 30, 2005, the overall Endowment had grown to a market value of almost $688,945.
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