The Grand Bahama American Women's Club (GBAWC) on Monday presented a cheque to members of the Board of Directors for the YMCA as a part of the American Women's Club's support of YMCA programs. The bulk of the funds are said to go towards the YMCA's summer camp this season.
"The monies presented came about as a result of a tennis tournament that we hosted last year and sponsored by Foster and Dunhill," explained Penny Bethel, President of the GBAWC.
"They had promised us $20,000 and that was used for scholarships. But all the ladies were so impressed by the children we had there, that they each threw in $1,000, coming up to a total of over $6,000. So we wanted to turn around and sponsor the summer programs here at the YMCA.
"Our main focus is to do what we can to help kids. There are so many needs on this island and there are so many kids who may not be able to afford to pay to go to summer camps, so we thought it only fitting to help the YMCA, which helps hundreds of children each summer."
The Grand Bahama American Women's Club has provided financial support for selected community projects and scholarships for high school students since its inception in 1966.
Wendy Hanna, Treasurer of the YMCA Board of Directors said that the donation by the American Women's Club is timely and will go a long way in helping to defray some of the costs associated with hosting a summer camp each year.
"The summer camp cost us about $50,000, so you can imagine what a strain it is for us to pull it off each year," said Hanna.
"The minimum amount that we charge campers is about $55 a week per camper. So you can see that there will always be a short fall, but we try to pull of such a great program of that magnitude.
"But the children love it, the parents love it and we will perserve hosting it. We definetely appreciate this donation by the American Women's Club and this will certainly go to good use."
The YMCA Summer Program has been expanded over the years and now involve more sports that affect kids across the board. Sports like tennis and golf have been added to the curriculum, giving kids interested in those sports an opportunity to develop their skills over the summer break. There are also the favourites like swimming, basketball, baseball and volleyball.
"This presentation will go a long way in helping to bring back the YMCA to the functionality where it used to be.
"A lot of people are of the impression that all of the work at the 'Y' has been completed and that's not the case. It takes a strong effort from the community and from organizations like the American Women's Club to come forward and make donations like this to assist us.
"We can't say enough when it comes to expressing our thanks and gratitude. We would like to encourage other corporations and organizations to continue to support the YMCA."
Williams said that the YMCA is expected to have a strong summer program and that the donations from the American Women's Club will go a long way in helping to meet the demands that will be placed on the YMCA to host a large number of kids during the summer months.
FOR THE KIDS – Members of the Grand Bahama American Women's Club on Monday presented a cheque to the Board of Directors of the YMCA to assist in the 'Y' summer camp this year. On hand for the presentation were (from left) Wendy Hanna, Daniel Williams, Joyce Harrison, Project Chairman (GBAWC), Karon Johnson, Executive Director (YMCA), Penny Bethel, President (GBAWC), Sarah Kirkby, Children's Home Board Member; Geneva Rutherford and Mark Hardy.
(Sports photo by Andrew Coakley)
