YMCA promotes an Active Childhood

Remember a time when kids could just be kids? Not many do. In America today, kids are growing up too fast and missing the years that determine their talents, passions and future life plans. Finally, there is a way to promote childhood in the neighborhood in which you live: the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign seeks donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to be able to continue to provide access to YMCA programming to children, teens and families who would otherwise be unable to pay. This opportunity to support childhood in your neighborhood will allow local kids the time and place to escape their adult responsibilities and just “be a kid.”

The Newburgh Family YMCA is pleased to announce that Carol Smith, Regional Director of Community Relations for WillCare and Timothy Scannell, Chief Financial Officer for Mobile Life Support Services will lead this year’s campaign as co-chairs.
“Strong Kids promotes the one thing missing in our children’s lives’ an active and healthy childhood,” said Smith. She added, “For many kids, it’s a chance of a lifetime just to go to camp in the summer or play on a soccer team that puts teamwork and friendship ahead of winning.”

Marcia Gay Harden, Academy Award-winning actor and YMCA mom, joins the YMCA again this year as celebrity spokesperson, as part of a commitment to serving kids through the YMCA. Through the Newburgh Family YMCA’s 2007 Strong Kids Campaign, hundreds of local youth will be able to participate in Y programs that build strong kids, families and communities.

Scannell, campaign co-chair added “The Strong Kids Scholarship Program provides families in need with financial support to participate in programs and activities offered at the Y; and we hope to raise more than this year’s goal of $35,000 to provide assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, child care and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.”
For more information about the campaign, YMCA programs or to volunteer contact Marlene Stang, Director of Marketing and Development, 845 562-1088 or visit the websites www.newburghymca.org or www.strongkidscampaign.org.
Pictured Above: Carol Smith and Tim Scannell get ready to kick-off the Strong Kids Campaign for the Newburgh Family YMCA.