The Boothbay Region YMCA Annual Fund Drive kicks off this month under the leadership of co-chairs Paul and Louise Cowan. The Cowans moved to the region almost two decades ago from Michigan, and have been active community members ever since. In addition to the Y, the Cowans donate their time and money to the Opera House, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and other local organizations. The pair also serve as stewards over Porter Preserve on Barter’s Island. 

“Just as (the Cowans) are representing a broadband of nonprofits that do well in this community, the Y really partners to do the same thing on a different scale,” said BRYMCA Executive Director Andy Hamblett. He noted ways the Y serves the community beyond recreational programming, including blood drives, childcare, healthy food options and more. During the height of the pandemic, the Y was a COVID-19 vaccination site, providing over 32,000 vaccinations in partnership with LincolnHealth. 

This year’s fund drive theme, “Help the Y Help Others!” puts a focus on the variety of services.

“It’s essential that people help people,” said Paul Cowan. “If you don’t step up and help out, it all falls apart.” 

For the Cowans, the Y has been an essential place to socialize after leaving their longtime friends in Michigan. Louise Cowan recalled attending her first class at the Y, and the instant welcome she received. “I feel like the friends we have now are just as good as our 40-year friends. Maybe even better,” she said. 

She has stepped in to teach cycling, aerobics and total resistance exercises (TRX) classes. Paul Cowan was a board member and is on the building committee.

“The nice thing about the Y is that it’s kind of a melting pot for the community,” said Hamblett. He stressed the importance of both year-round and seasonal residents to the Y’s environment and continued operations. The Y is a not-for-profit organization and its budget relies on revenues from memberships, programs and philanthropy. This year’s goal is to raise over $300,000; a third of it will go to support all memberships, according to Director of Development Allyson Goodwin.

“Because the cost of a membership does not cover the full cost of what it takes to run the Y, it means that every membership is underwritten by philanthropy and grants, even at full price,” she explained. The annual fund also covers the reduced or free memberships the Y offers through the "Membership for All" program. 

None of the money will go to the facility’s current renovations, which are being covered under a separate capital campaign. “I am continually amazed at the generosity of our community who come together to support each other,” said Goodwin. “The Annual Fund provides the sustaining lifeblood of the Y and we are grateful to the nearly 500 donors who support it every single year!” 

Donations to the Annual Fund can be made via check and sent to Boothbay Region YMCA, P.O. Box 500, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 or made at http://www.boothbayregionymca.org/