Susie Kockercheidt
PC leader John Tory (right), a Georgina summer resident, has agreed to help with the YMCA $1 million fundraising campaign. Mr. Tory is joined by Mayor Rob Grossi and Tom Horlor of the YMCA of Greater Toronto, along with a Lake Simcoe Soccer Club team who cheered the news of the new facility they’ll get to use.
Georgina
July 16, 2008 06:34 PM
By: John Slykhuis
John Tory believes in the YMCA. So much so, the leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party has pledged his support for the new Georgina YMCA as a fundraiser.
The fundraising campaign for the new $11-million recreation complex officially kicked off last week and the challenge has been issued for other community leaders to help the Y reach its goal of at least $1 million to furnish and equip the facility, to be constructed somewhere in south Keswick.
It is slated to open in about three years.
“We’re starting to talk to people and get our leaders in place,“ said fundraising campaign manager Alma McMullen of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. They are hoping for “co-chairpersons” representing Georgina’s business sectors, such as Keswick, Sutton and Pefferlaw, as well as individuals from the agricultural, First Nations and boating communities. A lifelong Georgina summer resident, Mr. Tory has agreed to spearhead fundraising in the town’s cottage community.
Honourary patrons include Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi and York Regional Police Chief Armand LaBarge.
The campaign kickoff corresponds with the active search for a site, said Tom Horlor, chief development officer for the YMCA.
In every community it has opened, the Y has become an integral part of the daily life of its citizens, in keeping with the organization’s stated goal of “forging strong partnerships with various community stakeholders including all levels of government, school boards, hospitals, United Ways and many others across the GTA”.
The cost of memberships will do more than just help run the facility, Mr. Horlor said. “No one is ever turned away.”
If a family can’t pay the full cost of membership, or a particular program, it is subsidized from the money raised through fundraising.
The facility will include indoor pool, extensive fitness facility, daycare centre, counselling, employment assistance, language training, teen leadership courses, seniors recovering from illnesses like stroke and many other programs that will be offered.
Contact Alma McMullen at the Keswick office of the Y, 905-989-9622, alma.mcmullen@ymcagta.org To contact Tom Horlor, call 416-413-1020, ext. 2344 or tom.horlor@ymcagta.org