Palo Alto Family YMCA To Kick Off Annual Giving Campaign Goal: $200,000 Through Mid-March

Palo Alto, CA (I-Newswire) February 7, 2011 - PALO ALTO, CA – Palo Alto Family YMCA announced today that it will kick off its Annual Giving Campaign Feb. 9 at Tesla Motors in Menlo Park, with more than 100 volunteers and a $200,000 goal. Located at 300 El Camino Real, Tesla Motors is providing space for the kickoff event as an in-kind donation.

“Our Annual Giving Campaign is our most critical fundraising event of the year,” said Scott Glissmeyer, executive director of the Y. “All of the money raised helps us strengthen the community through programs and services that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility – including our Ventura Center, which develops teens to lead and achieve. We also give back and support individuals and families with more than $350,000 annually for financial assistance to access vital programs and services they otherwise would not be able to afford. We are so grateful for all our volunteers and donors who support us to make people feel more healthy, confident, connected and secure.

Last year, 98 volunteers helped Palo Alto Family YMCA raise $200,788. This year, the Y hopes to exceed its goal to further its cause – to strengthen community. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with individuals and organizations in the Palo Alto community to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

This year’s campaign theme is the five R’s of environmental awareness: reduce, reuse, recycle, replenish, and renew. Each campaign meeting for volunteers will feature one of these elements. For the kickoff event, the Y will ask those who attend to write their wishes for the environment on large poster boards. Campaign activities for the volunteers include serving reduced calorie or green-colored food, using biodegradable plates and utensils, and using decorations that can be reused and not discarded. The Y invites everyone to a book exchange on Reuse night on February 16. If there are extra books at the end of the evening, they will be available for anyone to pick up during Replenish night on March 2. For Recycle night on February 23, the Y invites everyone to bring in old cell phones to be taken to a cell phone recycling bin.

For more details call (650) 856-9622.

About The Y
The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive.

Media Contact:
Tina Casalino
PR Consultant
Palo Alto Family YMCA
(408) 266-1934
tinacasalino_paymca@yahoo.com

About Palo Alto Family YMCA:
About The Y
The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive.

Company Contact Information
Palo Alto Family YMCA
3412 Ross Rd.
Palo Alto, CA
94303
Phone : 650-856-9622