June 24, 2017 - June 24, 2017 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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The North Central Florida YMCA invites the community to celebrate the YMCA’s 50 years in the Gainesville area at an event on June 24, 2017. The free family fun day will be held at the YMCA’s facility at 5201 NW 34th Blvd. in Gainesville, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will feature activities for all ages, including use of the YMCA pool, a bounce house, face painting, silent auction, music, food and more.
“We feel so fortunate to be able to celebrate 50 years of serving the Gainesville Community as ‘The Family Place,’ considering the financial obstacles we have been facing for the past several years,” said John Bonacci, CEO of the North Central Florida YMCA. “The community rallied around us earlier this year, and this event is one way we are showing our gratitude – and showcasing our plans for the future. We look forward to continuing to provide quality programs and services to hundreds of local families.”
On April 3, the YMCA announced that, thanks to a $1 million grant from the Community Foundation and other local donors, the organization now owns its facility and will remain in the Gainesville community. While the grant has paid off the mortgage, additional fundraising will continue in order to ultimately obtain a full discharge in bankruptcy by satisfying remaining creditors as well as providing necessary funds for critical facility improvements. More than 400 YMCA and community members have pledged additional gifts through grassroots fundraising that will enable the YMCA to achieve these goals.
“Although these large donations have eased the bulk of the financial burden, we are not quite out of the woods yet,” Bonacci stressed. “Efforts continue to collect all the pledges and continue fundraising to be able to continue operations and complete needed renovations to the facility.”
Go to www.NCFYMCA.org or call 352-374-9622 to learn more or to donate.