YMCA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Become a volunteer and make a difference in a child’s life.
The YMCA is one of the largest volunteer agencies in the United States. We realize the value of community volunteers for our special organization.  If you are interested in one or more of the areas listed below, please contact the YMCA at (239) 275-9622.

• Program Committee

• Scorekeepers

• Timekeepers

• Youth Coaches

Be a YMCA Coach. We Need Heroes Like You!
What it takes to be a coach:

• Belief in the Y-Winners philosophy - kids first, winning second

• Time - 2-3 hours/week for practices and games

• No experience is needed (training provided)

Benefits: fun, quality time with your child and other children, opportunity to be trained in a new skill and a chance to share with others.

Teen Leaders Club
The Teen Leaders Club enables young people to learn that they can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The program involves social time with other teens, service projects, and development of employment skills, special event field trips and many other fun activities.

It also focuses on issues such as volunteerism, group dynamics, conflict resolution, personal growth, leadership skills and the YMCA character development values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.

Bring a friend and join us for leadership, fellowship and fun! Registration forms are available at the Front Desk.

Call Lisa Cigich at (239) 275-9622 or email leadersclub@leecountyymca.org for more information.

YReads Program
Do you have a passion for reading? Would you like to share that passion with first and second grade children? 

The YMCA is currently looking for volunteers for the 2007-2008 school year to work one-on-one with children in the YREADS AfterSchool Literacy program, based at Colonial and Heights Elementary schools. Training provided.

Please contact Kelly McGuinness via e-mail kellym@leecountyymca.org.

YMCA DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
 

Strong Kids 2008 Campaign
          

Pitch In For Your Community

$5000
Will sponsor an entire YMCA program of your choice.

$2500
Provides 1 year of Before and After School care for 1 child, providing them with activities, help with homework and a safe place. Ensuring that they are not left home alone.

$1000
Helps a child attend day camp for the summer making friends, enjoying activities and building character.

$750
Provides a family membership to the YMCA including karate, gymnastics and family fitness.

$500
Helps a child participate in a full year of Youth Sports, including Football, Soccer, Basketball and Cheerleading.

$250
Helps a child take two sessions of swim lessons, where they will learn water safety and build self confidence and two sessions of dance class.

Call (239) 277-0835 for more information.

Click here for the printable Strong Kids brochure donation form or ... 

Donate Your Car or Boat
Don’t need/want/care about that boat? Upgrading to a different car? Help out kids at the YMCA and get a tax write-off! The YMCA takes resalable cars and boats in good condition. The proceeds of the sale go to scholarship needy kids at the YMCA.  Call Karen Lesza at the YMCA, (239) 277-0835.

Capital Campaign

Help us build our new YMCA branch at The Forum

The Need for Programs is Outpacing YMCA Facilities ... But now, our ability to provide services to those in need is being threatened. Our community is growing so rapidly that one YMCA facility is not able to handle the demand. We find ourselves wondering what will happen if we can’t help. It’s a question that causes great concern, because in our 40 years of service to Lee County, we have never turned any child away. It is critical for the YMCA to construct an additional facility in our area to serve thousands more children and families each year and ensure we can continue to fulfill the YMCA mission that everyone who wants to be involved in YMCA programs can, regardless of their ability to pay.
	The YMCA is a Safe Haven for Children and Teenagers ... Besides making everyone feel welcome, one of YMCA’s most important roles is to be a safe haven for children and teenagers. Instead of spending time alone, these children come to an environment where we nurture their confidence, attitude and self-esteem. We teach them that they can achieve their dreams. We teach them how to be productive citizens in our community. We teach them skills that will stay with them forever. At the YMCA, we catch people when they fall, help mend broken families, and help heal broken hearts. We point misguided teens in the right direction and show kids with low self-esteem that they can achieve their dreams. At the YMCA, we change lives.
That’s Why We’re Establishing New Roots ... A new 25,000 sq. ft. facility will be constructed in Southeast Fort Myers at The Forum, a residential and commercial development located at I-75, State Route 82 and Colonial Blvd. Staff directors will be placed in Cape Coral and Estero to promote, plan and implement programs in anticipation of new Y facilities in the future. The Paul Bush Branch will remain in operation, serving the needs of children and teens in South Central Fort Myers.
Would you consider investing in the youth of our community through a contribution? Call (239) 277-0835 for more details. Or, click here to download a printable donation form. Send your completed form to: YMCA of Lee County, 1360 Royal Palm Square Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL  33919 Dear YMCA of Lee County Members and Guests,       This is the time of year, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, when we all take time to reflect, celebrate, and be thankful for all that is good in our lives.  At the YMCA of Lee County, there is much to be thankful for in 2007.  We are thankful for the more than 19,000 Lee County residents who became part of our YMCA family through memberships and programs;  the over 800 volunteers who provided more than 6000 hours of service to our Y, and over 150 Y staff who tried tirelessly to meet the communities’ needs.  As we enter 2008, our 42nd year of service to the Lee County community, we enter a new era.  An era where relationships will be the top priority, where expansion of programs and services will thrive, where quality and value will be a given, and where financial good stewardship reigns.  Here are some of the exciting things to look for in 2008 from your YMCA:  shorter program sessions to allow for more participation; expanded programming in adult softball leagues, YBA, and cheerleading; a revamped fitness program specializing in hands on assistance and fresh fitness classes; new day camp and school age childcare sites targeting the downtown sector; continued cosmetic changes to Bush Branch; and finally, the groundbreaking of our next YMCA facility at The Forum.  In closing, on behalf of my family and me, I want to thank all of the YMCA staff, volunteers, and members, for all you have done to welcome us to the community and make our transition to Southwest Florida so wonderful.  Thank you for helping the YMCA of Lee County build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.  Enjoy the New Year!  Sincerely, Jim Jim Sanger CEO

Heritage Club & Endowment Program

In 2002 the YMCA Board of Directors instituted its first Endowment Fund. This fund is made possible from gifts from members of the Heritage Club. Membership in the Heritage Club signifies that you have included the YMCA in your will, named the YMCA in a charitable trust, made a direct gift of cash or property to the Endowment Fund, or named the YMCA as a beneficiary of your life insurance.

What is the Heritage Club?
The Heritage Club is a special association of members who, during their lifetime, have taken the initiative to endow the strength of the YMCA to continue serving future generations. The aims of the Heritage Club are to help others learn more about how they can enhance their life estate while creating a permanent fund that serves to perpetuate values of involvement that were significant in our own lifetime.

The YMCA Endowment Fund
The YMCA Endowment Fund is administered as a balanced income and growth fund. A designated portion of the earnings are allocated according to the donor’s wishes. The balance of earnings are reinvested to expand the principal so that the endowment has greater impact each year. The integrity of the principal is protected and cannot be allocated for expenditures.

How do you become a member of the Heritage Club?
To join you simply need to notify the YMCA that you have included the YMCA in your estate or in one of the other forms of gifts listed above. The YMCA does not need any further information unless you wish to disclose it. Call 277-0835 for more details.

Or, click here to download a printable donation form.
Send your completed form to: YMCA of Lee County, 1360 Royal Palm Square Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL  33919