2009 marks Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center's 15th year of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities in Southwest Michigan through programs such as summer camp, YMCA wellness, retreats, and Character Development school programs.
A goal of $178,000 has been established for the 2009 Annual Campaign for Scholarships. These scholarship funds will help the anticipated 700+ children and families through financial assistance to experience YMCA programs such as health & wellness and summer camp. Through these experiences, families can become stronger in spirit, mind, and body.
Parents and schools need partners in positive youth development. Sherman Lake YMCA is such a partner. Each year the Sherman Lake YMCA strengthens over 8000 children in spirit, mind, and body through positive role-models, providing a safe-environment, teaching life skills, building positive relationships, and empowering youth by giving them a voice. The values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility drive the all programs (summer camp, school programs, character development, YMCA Health & Wellness, and retreats) providing common ground for the youth, families, and organization constituencies. Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center is accessible to all regardless of physical, mental, or financial limitations.
How you can help...
- Click "Donate" to make a contribution towards the Annual Campaign for Scholarships
- Click "Get Started" to create your own online Fundraising Page. It only take a few minutes.
- Personalize the text and the photo on your Online Fundraising Page to express your passions and your purpose.
- Send the link out to your friends, family, colleagues - anyone you think will help you reach your goal.
Testomonials of members who receive financial assistance at Sherman Lake YMCA:
Our family was experiencing financial difficulties after having to reduce to one-income household due to my husband becoming ill over a year ago. It is a wonderful opportunity with receiving a scholarship to help us with our membership fees. This scholarship allows some normalcy for our family at this difficult time.
Our family moved to the Richland area over a year ago from out-of-state. The combination of Michigan winters, not having family or friends in the area, and having three small children contributed to our family feeling isolated. Receiving a YMCA scholarship provided our family a social and physical outlet that alleviated these feelings. The scholarship allowed us to attend the YMCA weekly, therefore creating invaluable friendships with staff and members. These invaluable friendships led to our family's involvement in additional community activities, as well as our children getting excited about attending and participating in the various programs at the YMCA. Not only have we had the opportunity to spend quality time with new friends, but our family has really cherished our time together at the YMCA.
