Dear Editor:

It is with immense pride and deep gratitude that I write a reflection about the incredible success of the Boothbay Region YMCA’s A Greater Impact Campaign. After six years of dedication, flexibility, and perseverance, the Y has exceeded its original $14.5 million goal—an achievement made possible by the generosity of many, propelled by an anonymous $2 million dollar matching challenge and, most recently, through a $750,000 matching challenge created by small a group of loyal donors, and now topped off by an extraordinary recent $550,000 anonymous gift that brought the campaign across the finish line.

This campaign has been a remarkable journey, full of challenges and triumphs. Rising construction costs, the unpredictability of the pandemic, and numerous twists and turns along the way tested the Y’s resolve. However, thanks to the adaptability and hard work of everyone involved, the Y stayed the course, pivoted when necessary, and ultimately exceeded expectations. 

Thanks to all of you—generous donors, the dedicated staff of the Y and the incredible Boothbay region community—we now have the resources to transform our YMCA in meaningful and lasting ways. The renovations to the main campus facility, the Marylouise Tandy Fieldhouse, the Childhood Enrichment Center, Camp Knickerbocker’s Waterfront Pavilion, McEvoy Lodge, and generous endowment gifts will not only improve the YMCA’s ability to serve this community now but will also foster new opportunities for generations to come.

I want to extend a special thanks to Andy Hamblett, the Y’s CEO, and Allyson Goodwin, the Director of Development, for their tireless leadership throughout this campaign. Their vision, passion, and commitment were instrumental in navigating the complexities the Y faced. Additionally, the entire Fund Development and Campaign Committees deserve our heartfelt gratitude for their strategic guidance and unwavering support. Without their collective effort, this campaign would not have been possible.

To the Y’s donors, thank you for believing in the Y’s critical mission of healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. Your generosity and care of the mission will impact the lives of so many in the Boothbay Region. To the staff, your resilience and adaptability during this journey have been nothing short of inspiring. And to the greater community, your unwavering support throughout the campaign is a testament to the shared values that make the Boothbay Region such a special place.

While the campaign’s conclusion marks the culmination of years of hard work, it is also a new beginning for the Boothbay Region YMCA. The road ahead is filled with possibilities, and I look forward to seeing how these renewed and enhanced spaces and endowment gifts will continue to strengthen and inspire our community.

Charlie Britton

Campaign Chair, Trustee, and Past Board President

Boothbay Region YMCA