As a board member for the last six years, Jim Horn knows how well Chester County benefits from the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. Therefore, accepting the role of this year’s fundraising campaign chair came without hesitation.

Horn is eager to share the YMCA’s story from an even larger platform, as the campaign officially kicks off at 5:30 PM on Feb. 16 at CTDI.

There, hundreds of YMCA volunteers and staff will rally to build enthusiasm to raise $1.3 million to help the YMCA transform lives in Chester County. It will be a time to reflect and revisit the important work of the YMCA’s community programs and ongoing involvement, and it will be Horn’s time to inspire.

“Everybody has their hot-button issue – a different cause that they might support,” he said. “The reason I support the Y is because of what the Y does for the community, for the youth, for the areas the Y serves. I firmly believe in the mission.”

As president and CEO of The Tri-M Group, Horn’s beliefs often lead toward success. He started at the electrical solutions company in 1983 as a designer and estimator, and worked his way up to his current position, which he has held for 15 years.

Headquartered in Kennett Square with offices across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida, Horn has put The Tri-M Group in position to secure $90 million in annual revenues.

“We are indeed fortunate to have such a noted corporate voice step up to lead this campaign,” said YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s Chief Development Officer Mary Burns. “We couldn’t serve 13,000 individuals and families with more than $3.8 million in financial assistance without our talented staff and the generous support from our dedicated volunteers, community partners, and donors.”

From quality childcare to tools for fighting chronic disease and life-saving water safety skills, the YMCA’s work continues to impact generations.

“We, as a company, have always admired and respected the Y’s involvement and the impact on the communities they serve,” Horn said. “Not only has the Y become a vital partner in our communities, but it plays an important role in the development of our children. Focusing on youth development will help those individuals become successful wherever they go and happen to end up in their careers.”

While some think of the YMCA as just a place to work out, it’s really so much more.

“These other gyms and fitness centers, they don’t have the same mission as the Y or what the Y does in the community,” Horn said. “That’s what differentiates us from everybody else. And I look forward to sharing more about what impact the Y and this campaign has on the communities we serve.”

To give or learn more about the annual campaign, visit www.ymcagbw.org/donate/giving.