Hockomock Area YMCA Receives Matching Gift to Reach 2011 Annual Campaign Goal

Earlier this week, the Hockomock Area announced a $20,000 challenge gift that has been offered to the Y to close out the last leg of their Reach Out for Youth & Families campaign to reach and exceed our 2011 goal. YMCA officials secured a $20,000 pledge from an anonymous local donor to fund a match of all gifts made to the campaign with proceeds going towards the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA—a program offered at no cost to the participant. The LIVESTRONG program is funded by the Y’s Reach Out for Youth and Families annual campaign. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a 12-week physical activity program for cancer survivors offered by the Y free of charge to the participant to help survivors regain control of their life physically and emotionally after cancer treatment.  The match will be effective through Friday, June 10th.

Hockomock Area YMCA President Ed Hurley states, Hockomock Area YMCA President Ed Hurley states, “This is a great opportunity to get support from our community to make a pledge to our Reach Out For Youth Campaign now, knowing that their gift will be matched dollar for dollar.” Hurley added, “This challenge is exciting because it also gives us a chance to spotlight  LIVESTRONG at the YMCA as an exciting and innovative program that our Y offers as a program that has been truly life changing to hundreds of participants since its inception less than a year ago.”

LIVESTRONG program participant Judy Ammidown commented about her experience in the program, “We had a very mixed group of people with different types of cancers, but the bond that was formed was amazing.  Everyone having the cancer experience and coming together twice a week was so powerfully felt—no words were needed.  My goal was to become re-conditioned and to get myself back into exercising regularly.  This program helped me reach my simple goal and so much more—I am stronger both physically and mentally.”

Community members interested in making a gift to the campaign or volunteering to help the Y meet its goal can contact the Y’s Development Director Marsea Whooten at 508-772-1341 or visit www.hockymca.org.