The Annual Fund theme this year is “Back Together!” to reflect our community’s re-emergence from the pandemic. Rob and Sara Watts are the co-chairs, along with their daughters Ella and Kayla. All of them are involved in helping to get the word out about their support for the Y, as it is truly a family passion. Rob and Sara grew up at Boothbay's YMCA, and now Ella and Kayla are involved in many of its programs and activities. “We are thrilled to support the Y! It has not only been important to our family, but has also impacted our community,” say Rob and Sara. Nine-year-old Kayla mentioned that she loves the Y “because Emily and Y-Arts are awesome.” Thirteen-year-old Ella gives a strong nod to Camp K when she says, “I especially like it when we have sleepovers and get to be out at camp. It’s really fun!”

The Y's 2021 Annual Fund drive began last week by collating nearly 700 mailers to prior donors, each including a letter, an insert, a stamp, and multiple envelopes. A group of fourteen fun volunteers, ages 9 to nearly 90, gathered together in the Coastal Club Room on Wednesday around tables to sort, stuff, seal, and stamp the mailing. The Y has a history of strong volunteer support, and while helpers were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were back in full force last week. The multi-generational group cheerfully made light work of a daunting task, all the while enjoying delectable snacks and lively conversation. Many thanks to Mac MacKusick, Patty Colhoun, Jack Brennan, Cherry Goodwin, Carol Ostermann, Miri Lyons, Lisa McIntosh, Suzie, Petie, and Andy Hamblett, Jeanne Sullivan, and Michael and Ethan Ellis.

As a way of celebrating the new year, the Watts family put together a list of 20 reasons they love the Y, and they are asking others to add to the list. All Y donors, members, and visitors are encouraged to submit their reason for loving the Y. Submissions will be entered into a raffle to win a Y backpack that includes beach items including a towel, Frisbee, and water bottle. You can submit your reason in writing, along with your name, via email to the director of development at agoodwin@brymca.org. You may also submit your idea in writing, along with your email address, at the front desk at the Y. The raffle drawing will occur on Aug. 13.

The Y is a non-profit organization, and membership dues cover only a portion of the cost for providing the programs, facilities, and staff needed to meet the ever-growing needs of our community. Most especially, the Annual Fund helps support the Y's Membership for All policy and funds the second-grade swimming program that teaches all children on the peninsula to swim. In addition, it provides free memberships for high school students and underwrites support to children and families through a robust food program.

The BRYMCA is grateful to all the volunteers, members, donors, sponsors, and foundations that sustain its mission each year to provide programs and services that support and enhance our community. The Y welcomes all its family “Back Together” in 2021. Let's work together, offering our hands, hearts, and dollars to support the Y in its ongoing endeavors to be a community catalyst for good.