Poole Family YMCA and Johnston County YMCA Raise Funds to Lower Barriers
The Poole Family YMCA and Johnston County YMCA hold an Annual Campaign each year to raise money for the Garner and Johnston County community and it was a full house of full hearts this year at the Poole Family YMCA Victory event!
The Poole Family YMCA and Johnston County YMCA hold an Annual Campaign each year to raise money for the Garner and Johnston County community and it was a full house of full hearts this year at the Poole Family YMCA Victory event!
The Poole Family YMCA/Johnston County YMCA has raised $313,531 (and counting) for our community!
100% of the funds raised are invested locally and impact thousands of lives directly, but also have a ripple effect of opportunities that strengthens our entire community.
Through the generous giving of donors to the campaign, loved ones regain their strength after battles with cancer, classrooms accelerate learning with more confident students, teens discover their leadership potential for today and tomorrow, and families find the support they need for active, healthy lives.
“Our YMCA Annual Campaign creates so many amazing opportunities for our community. I am humbled and honored to help each year with this campaign. I love that the money we are raising goes right back into the community that I grew up in and now work in.”
Dustin Williams – Associate Executive Branch Director
No Limits Initiative
The growth of this year's campaign not only sustains the Y’s community commitment but will allow for new opportunities like the No Limits Initiative.
Everyone deserves a chance to participate in YMCA programming. The YMCA is committed to serving families with special needs through youth and adult programs, membership wellness and specialized programming through the No Limits Initiative.
Every donor and volunteer is an invaluable part of the Annual Campaign team. The community’s gifts of time, personal resources and energy have built relationships that will make a meaningful, lasting difference.
The YMCA would especially like to thank our campaign chair, Lisa Bullard and leadership volunteers: Zach Ambrose, Jacob Bowes, Charlie Brignac, Russell Camper, Linda Carnes, Jennifer McGee, Karen Pahl and Nilesh Surti. The campaign continues through late December.
There is always more need than available funds.
There is still time to donate. Just select Poole Family YMCA Annual Campaign in the drop down menu.
Annual Bling Gala Raises Money and Boosts Students
The eleventh annual Bling Gala, put on by the Garner Mid-Day Rotary Club Foundation, will be on December 7 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Marquise Ballroom.
Proceeds from the black-tie optional event will raise money for the local Back Pack Buddies Program as well as scholarships for Garner senior high school students.
Annual Bling Gala Raises Money and Boosts Students
The eleventh annual Bling Gala, put on by the Garner Mid-Day Rotary Club Foundation, will be on December 7 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Marquise Ballroom.
Proceeds from the black-tie optional event will raise money for the local Back Pack Buddies Program as well as scholarships for Garner senior high school students.
The evening consists of a gourmet dinner, drinks, entertainment by The Chairman of the Board and silent and live auctions. This year’s fundraising goal is $60,000 and the Gala has raised $375,000 over the last twelve years.
This year's event will feature The Chairmen of the Board.
The Garner Back Pack Buddies program sends food home on Fridays to over 140 elementary school children from eight Garner schools who come from food insecure homes, meaning that they rely on school meals for much of their nutrition.
“We just want to make sure the kids are fed. You can’t learn if you’re hungry,” Rita Hines, fundraising chair, said.
The program began when a retired elementary school social worker brought the need for homeless children to have weekend meals to the attention of the Garner Mid-Day Rotary Club.
Over the years, it expanded to include meal boxes for breaks from school, and partnered with Able to Serve, a non-profit organization that provides people with disabilities opportunities to actively participate in the community. Able to Serve provides the regular weekly legwork along with a group of volunteers, consisting of many retired educators, and the Gala provides much of their funding.
“We raise the money, but the folks that shop and serve do it every week,” John Hodges, treasurer of the Rotary Club, said, adding that the schools are instrumental in helping identify children in need. “We really have to trust in the guidance counselors and social workers to tell us the need in the school.”
Information on purchasing tickets, sponsorships, donations and items for auction can be found here.
Tickets to attend should be purchased by Wednesday, December 4.