When 10-year old Isaiah Bates wandered into the member’s lounge at the Boothbay Region YMCA on Wednesday, March 29, he was curious. He saw four 6-foot tables chock full of colorful and interesting baskets. The baskets were all different shapes, sizes, and colors and were filled with creative and interesting items. Nearly every swim team family collaborated on a basket theme and donated the contents. Clever offerings included a “day of fishing” with tackle and gear, a “night in or out at the movies” with passes to Harbor Theater, popcorn, and candy, and “spring gardening” with soil, seeds, gardening gloves and pruning shears. There were baskets brimming with themes like pampering, relaxation, cooking, pickleball, camping, YMCA swim classes, and even a beautiful salad bowl created and donated by local ceramic artist, Alison Evans, replete with wooden salad tossing utensils.

Parents and their Dolphins collaborated to raise money to support the purchases of suits, caps, shirts and transportation and hotel feels for select swimmers who attended the State and New England meets. It was a meaningful way to give back while also asking the community to support their efforts.

There was steady stream of traffic all day from Y members and the community who purchased between 1 and 200 tickets which would be randomly drawn later that that evening. All in, the swim team raised $2,278 to cover some of their expenses for the current season.

One of the last dollars in was from Isaiah Bates. He asked Senior Program Director Erin Gray, one of the event’s main organizers, what was going on in the lounge. When she explained the fundraiser, he said, “I’m not on the swim team, but I do want to help. I only have a dollar in my pocket. Is that okay?” Erin quickly replied that a dollar was all he needed and that he should put his name into one of the baskets with a hope of winning. With over 5,000 tickets sold, it was a long-shot but he decided to try his luck with the “Night in or Out at the Movies” basket. When one of the event’s volunteers drew Isaiah’s name later that evening, Erin was delighted to learn that he had won. She said, “I literally had tears in my eyes knowing that this little guy wanted to help and that he was one of the lucky winners. We have a lot of people with big hearts in this community, including Isaiah.”

This will be an annual event and the goal is to raise $5,000 next year with similar basket raffles. Given the time of year and the scent of spring in the air, the volunteers were pleased to have such a successful themed fundraiser. Heather, Hannah, Byran and Mike Hills, Janelle Munson-McGee, Rudi Bottse, Lindsey Senecal, and Medea and Ford Harris joined Erin in orchestrating the day-long event. Erin commented that one of the members of the community came up to the table of volunteers and thanked them for “offering such a fun and creative fundraiser.” Erin replied, “Well, the first three letters in fundraising is fun, after all! We had a great time creating the event and are glad that

everyone on the swim team participated with such creative items. Bringing kids, parents, and the community together is what we love to do at the Y.”

We’ll have to wait and see if Isaiah will be first in line to buy a ticket next year!