Everyone's style is different and I quickly get the point.  Here is my typical conversation with someone I know...

Hey Steve, it’s Saffie.  Do your kids play sports at the Y? or Did your kids plays sports at the Y (for my older friends)

• Typically, they say yes…  I like to get a positive first response, however be ready for complaints about the technology.  
• Embrace the complaint- "Yes, I know!  The Y is aware of it and working to make things better and easier.  At least we don't have to get up early in the morning and stand in line for spots!"

Just so you know, I am working to help the Park Cities YMCA and was surprised to learn that our YMCA provides almost $500,000 in community benefits.  If you are like me, I did not realize how much outreach our Y does. 

Last year our Make a Splash program taught over 300 kids how to swim, over by Love Field, that couldn’t afford swim lessons and we subsidized 1000’s of kids for youth sports and camps. Could you help by donating to our annual campaign?  Just so you know this campaign only supports and subsidizes the programs of the Y, like Make a Splash.   

IF YES - Thank you so much! You are very generous and this donation will go a long way! 

The YMCA will invoice you for your pledge, is this your correct address: _______________ confirm what you have.

May I have your email address:  ____________________?

Again, thank you so much.  Your donation makes a huge impact on our community! 

IF NO –  Would you consider a smaller donation? $500?

IF NO AGAIN- Well, thanks for considering the Park Cities YMCA and especially for taking my call.    

Thank you in advance for volunteering to work with us on the 2016 YMCA Annual Campaign.  Training is this week and all sessions will be at the temporary PC-YMCA on Luther. 

Please mark your calendar and plan to come to one of the Annual Campaign Training Sessions.

• Tuesday, Jan 5 from 12pm - 1pm
• Wednesday, Jan 6 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm
• Thursday, Jan 7 from 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Also, take a look at http://pcymcaac.bubblelife.com.  We have built a communication to help you and in the next few days will highlight some of the materials and tips, to help you get started!  

Again, thank you for your time and commitment! 

Saffie Farris

Association Recognition Levels 2016 Annual Campaign

For gifts of $25,000 or more (in addition to what is listed below):

• Red Plaque in Branch 
• Private lunch or dinner with YMCA President

For gifts of $10,000-$24,999 (in addition to what is listed below):

• Purple Banner in Branch (if branches keep banners)
• Invitation to Key Leaders Luncheon for donor and two guests

 For gifts of $5,000-$9,999 (in addition to what is listed below):

• Blue Plaque in Branch 
• Name listed in Dallas Business Journal recognition piece or similar
• Invitation to Key Leaders Luncheon for donor and a guest

 For gifts of $2,500- $4,999 (in addition to what is listed below):

• Green Plaque in Branch 
• Invitation to Key Leaders Luncheon

For gifts of $1,000-$2,499 (in addition to what is listed below):

• White Plaque in Branch 
• Invitation to Annual Meeting

 For gifts of $500-$999 (in addition to what is listed below):

• Donor acknowledgment letter
• YMCA-branded token of appreciation

For gifts under $499:

• Name listed in the YMCA honor roll of giving on the website

 ** If a donor already has a plaque, we will continue to order the date plates and will send to those donors.  New donors, or donors who newly qualify at previous recognition levels, will not be eligible to receive a plaque.

Click this link: https://parkcities.bubblelife.com/download?key=356088690 a Word Document of this information.

Brief History of the Park Cities YMCA

The Park Cities YMCA was founded in 1944, and programs began out of a small house in Goar Park. The land for the current facility was donated by the Hoblitzelle Family on Preston Road in the late 1940s and the Y opened its doors in 1951 to serve Highland Park and University Park.

Dr. Shirley Hodges, a local resident, was the first Board Chair and began the sense of community that has grown to where it is today.

YMCA Mission:

To put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Almost $500,000

Last year, the Park Cities YMCA provided $500,000 in community benefits for programs, subsidies and scholarships.

How to Quickly Explain The Annual Campaign

The Annual Campaign supports YMCA programs and provides subsidies and scholarships so that no one is ever turned away because of the inability to pay.

 To clarify:

• The Annual Campaign supports YMCA programs and provides subsidies and scholarships. 
• Membership fees are used to support the staff and the operating budget.
• The Capital Campaign solely supports the cost of the new building. 

Did You Know This About Sports at the YMCA?

Did you know through our Sports programming we serve thousands of children each year, with roughly 30% receiving some form of financial aid? The Annual Campaign subsidizes these costs so we can continue to provide Sports programming for all.

Did You Know This About Membership at The PC-YMCA?

Did you know that the Park Cities Y provided membership subsidies to more than 1,500 families in 2014, which accounted for a nearly $160,000 impact to the annual budget? The Annual Campaign raises funds to cover these expenses.

Did You Know This About Disabled Swim Lessons at the PC-YMCA?

Did you know that through our Adaptive Aquatics program, swim lessons are offered to many disabled children and families free of charge, which accounts for nearly $25,000 of our annual budget?  We subsidize these costs through our Annual Campaign so we don’t have to raise membership dues.

Did You Know This About Child Watch Services at the PC-YMCA?

Did you know that we provide “Child Watch” service free to all members so they can work out while we watch their kids? We serve many kids and do it free of charge. This accounts for approximately $90,000 of our annual budget that we subsidize through the Annual Campaign.

Did You Know This About The PC-YMCA Scholarships for Older Adults?

Did you know that through our Active Older Adult program we serve older adults, free of charge, who normally would not have an opportunity to come to the Y for a fitness and social outlet? This accounts for nearly $70,000 of our annual budget that is subsidized through the Annual Campaign.

Did You Know About PC-YMCA Free Swim Lessons for Love Field Apartment Complexes?

Did you know that through the Make A Splash program, we offer free swim lessons to those living in apartment communities who cannot afford the trip to the Y or swim lessons? We teach water safety and have concentrated on the area behind Love Field, which will result in lives saved.  

We hope to reach 24 apartment sessions in the summer of 2016 at the cost of $1,500 per complex, at no cost to the tenants, which we subsidize through our Annual Campaign.

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