SLO COUNTY YMCA READIES FOR FUNDRAISING DRIVE

The Tribune
Published: Friday, February 10, 2006
Page: C1

San Luis Obispo County YMCA is preparing for an ambitious month-long fundraising drive next month. The 2006 annual Support Campaign begins March 7 and will run until April 7. The nonprofit hopes to raise $215,000 -- $10,000 more than it raised last year.

About 80 cents of each dollar raised will be used for financial assistance, namely to support the YMCA's sliding scale fee structure.

Fifteen percent of the money is earmarked for expanding existing programs, such as yoga, to other communities, and the balance will help meet emerging needs.

YMCA CEO Jennifer Rhynes says adding services in Cayucos is one of this year's emerging needs.

A $10,000 pledge was made anonymously in the fall by an out-of-area employer to benefit an employee, who lives in the beach town. YMCA officials will hold a town hall meeting in the next 30 days to determine the type of programming that the community would like, Rhynes said.

Dave and Maggie Cox, co-founders of Barnett Cox & Associates, will serve as the annual support campaign chairs. The major gift fundraising effort will be run by Reese Davies, president of First Bank of San Luis Obispo. Damien and Tina Porter, owners of SLO County Passport, will chair the community section, which makes up the majority of the volunteer effort.

"We've been associated with the YMCA for many years and have been so impressed with their programs," said Maggie Cox. "We are excited to be helping to secure their future."

A kickoff dinner for this year's campaign is scheduled March 7 at the YMCA's Southwood Drive location for some 110 volunteers and major donors. The dinner serves as an opportunity for the organization to inform and educate its volunteers about the major initiatives that the YMCA is undertaking.