YMCA of Greater Brandywine Launches Annual ‘CAMP-aign’ to Support Community Needs

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YMCA of Greater Brandywine
Images via the YMCA of Greater Brandywine.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine has launched its 2021 Annual “CAMP-aign.”

After months of isolation and staring at screens due to the pandemic, children are craving social engagement, adventure, and fun — all of which are available safely through the YMCA’s summer camps.

However, many in the community are still facing unemployment and/or financial uncertainty due to the pandemic. So, the YMCA is working to ensure that every child and teen has the opportunity to attend summer camp, regardless of their ability to pay.

“Last year, even during the height of the pandemic, more than 1,000 children attended our summer camps each week,” said Denise Day, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. “We provided financial assistance to nearly 200 of these families. This year, we want to do even more.”

Knowing the impact of the pandemic on children and their families, Day said that the YGBW team began planning for summer camps several months ago.

“Our summer camp team has developed new activities, interactive hands-on experiments, and added several exciting features, including peddle karts, archery tag, oversized yard games, and remote-control water boats. It’s going to be a summer unlike any other.” 

Strengthening the Community

In a typical year, YGBW grants more than $3 million in financial assistance to more than 10,000 Chester County residents. Last year, even during a pandemic, YGBW managed to provide nearly $1.5 million in assistance for its programs and services. These funds ensured that thousands in the community had access to YGBW memberships, quality childcare, sports programming, swim lessons, health and wellness offerings, and summer camps.

In addition to supporting summer camp, funds raised through YGBW’s Annual Campaign also support subsidized programs, including but not limited to: 

  • Believe & Achieve, a fully subsidized program providing afterschool enrichment for children who are from low-income households. 
  • Splash! Safety Around Water, which typically teaches more than 1,000 children each year in Chester County how to be safe in and around water at no cost to them or their families. 
  • Seventh-Grade Initiative, which provides all Chester County seventh-graders with a one-year YMCA membership at no cost to them or their families. 

The long-term success of the Y stems from the generosity of the Chester County community.  

Donations can be made online or at a local YMCA branch, and 100 percent of any donation goes directly to supporting those in Chester County. For information on making a corporate donation, contact Patti Campbell, Chief Development Officer, at 610-643-9622 ext. 2153 or pcampbell@ymcagbw.org.

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