It was a beautiful evening as nearly 100 supporters gathered in the Winslow Community Room for the Y’s annual President and Legacy Circle evening of gratitude.

“Everything we do is anchored in this community and responding to needs as they evolve. And all of you are a big part of making that possible,” said the Y’s CEO, Megan Benvenuto.

The room was abuzz with donors and current and former volunteers greeting each other, spanning decades of leadership and stewardship of the Y, from our youngest youth trustee, rising high school junior Ethan Clark, to our first female Board President Nan Davison. New President Circle donors, including Business Partner sponsors, had a chance to meet one another and to get to know Megan, her husband Eric, and others who have generously supported the Y over many years.

While the evening recognized donors who have made significant annual, endowment, and planned gifts to the Y, the stories shared throughout the night reflected something much larger: the extraordinary generosity of an entire community.

Every gift to the Y matters. This year so far, there have been 497 gifts and pledges to the Y’s operating, capital, and endowment funds between $1 and $200,000. That is quite a range! Every one of those gifts represents someone choosing to invest in this Y and in the people who call it home.

President’s Circle donors are those who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more, while Legacy Circle members invest in the Y’s future through gifts to the endowment or by including the Y in their estate plans. Together with hundreds of other donors each year, they help make possible the programs, financial assistance, facilities, and outreach that serve this community every day.

Legacy giving is not about the size of a gift. It is about making a decision for the Y to remain strong for generations to come. Wen Wolf, vice president of the Y’s Board of Trustees, shared, “When you include the Y in your estate plans or make an outright gift to the endowment, you are making a statement that this community, and this Y, should be here for the people who come after us. Our endowment is so important because it helps sustain the Y for future generations while also providing a safety net when unexpected challenges arise.”

And ultimately, that long-term support matters because of what happens at the Y every single day. Megan has been in the CEO seat for just over six weeks, and she has been struck by the warmth of her welcome, the strength of the Board and staff, the generosity of this community, and just how active the Y has been this summer.

“Even before school starts, I have learned that there is almost no such thing as a quiet moment at our Y or out at Camp K,” she said. “At any given time, there are children learning, teens finding their place, adults getting stronger, older members connecting with friends, and staff helping everyone who comes through our doors.  And, many people don’t realize that it costs the Y $12,000 to open our doors every single day and provide all of the programs, services, facilities, and outreach that make this place so special.”

Charlie Britton, the Y’s Board president, offered a hearty thank you to the guests and also shared a few other fact. “It may surprise you to learn that membership revenue covers only about one-third of our actual costs. We intentionally work to keep fees affordable because accessibility is central to who we are. Requests for reduced membership fees have increased by 40% this year, and we meet those needs through the generosity of donors like you. Thanks to philanthropy, we also provide free swim lessons to second graders, free membership to all high school students, and free healthy snacks in our grab’n’go fridge in the lobby. You can also get a free cup of coffee in the member lounge in the morning to connect with your friends.”

Charlie went on to tell a story about overhearing someone talking about the Boothbay Region YMCA when he was on a recent flight. His ears perked up when he heard the person describing what an incredible facility the Y is and how important it is to the community. He felt a quiet pride, while also knowing that the Y is so much more than a “gym and swim.” He said, “The Y connects people. It provides critical services. It gives safe and healthy spaces for children to thrive, support for working families, opportunities for adults to stay healthy and connected, and a place of all ages to feel like they belong.”

The Leadership and Legacy Circles recognize particular kinds of giving, but the Y itself has never been about circles that keep people out. It is about widening the circle: welcoming another child to camp, helping another family afford membership, giving another teenager a place to belong, supporting another adult staying healthy and connected, and making sure this remarkable community resource remains strong for the generation that comes next.

And that is the real legacy: a stronger Y, a stronger community, and a place that continues to belong to everyone.