As we begin the final month of 2018 I look back at the year we are about to conclude and I am so very proud and humbled by our accomplishments. We reached a record high for membership units and are putting more individuals through the facility on a daily basis than ever before. We now have over 4,000 members! We have offered more Programs, free to all, than ever before and are continuing to grow those offerings, due to a 2nd straight robust Annual Campaign, where we raised over $100,000 more than our goal! We are continually putting more youth in our community through the building and into programming that keeps them off the streets after school and at other times where the alternative activities they get into are harmful to their health and well-being. The M.A.D. Program (Making A Difference) is a prime example. We began and are continuing several campaigns, such as the Endowment Campaign, which will continue to sustain the Y and its members who rely on us to help them in time of need throughout the year. And a Capital Campaign, which will allow us to expand the facility and offer more programming and additional space for the membership. We know there are needs we have yet to meet and these campaigns will help us meet those needs. We are blessed to have your support and we truly appreciate all the community has done to help us grow over the last year. For that I say, Thank You!
As we head into the Holiday Season I want to stress the importance of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is easy to get caught up in the gift giving and all the other amazing things that we do throughout the holidays but I ask you to not lose sight of why we are doing so. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Let’s all do our part in keeping Christ in Christmas.
Wishing all of you a a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!!
Andy Bradigan
CVO
RGS YMCA