OLEAN, N.Y. — As Jeff Alvey, CEO of the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, walked through the Olean Family YMCA lobby a few months ago, a young man sitting at a table flagged him down.
After the young man, who has a disability, confirmed that Alvey was the “boss” of the facility, he thanked Alvey for awarding him financial assistance to be a Y member.
Alvey shared the young man’s story of gratitude with volunteers gathered Thursday for the Olean Y’s annual campaign kick-off at the Y on Wayne Street. This year, the Olean Y has a goal to raise $200,000, which will provide scholarships for children, adults and families to attend the facility.
Christie Thornton, executive assistant to Alvey, said the Y’s two branch campuses in Wellsville and Bradford, Pa., hope to raise $55,000 and $135,000, respectively, for a total of $390,000.
Thornton and Alvey said the funds raised will provide financial assistance to approximately 24 percent of the members in Olean; 27 percent of the members in Wellsville; and approximately 27 percent of the Bradford members
Thornton noted the funds raised in each of the communities stay within those communities.
She said last year, the three communities raised a total of $400,000, which, when combined with state and federal grants and other initiatives, provided a total of $1.15 million to people who needed financial assistance to attend the Y or its programs.
Specifically, the funds helped 7,464 adults, 4,431 children, 1,647 seniors and 1,706 families in a variety of Y programs in all three communities.
“As an association, that’s what we gave away in financial assistance,” Thornton explained.
She noted the 21st Century after-school program found in Wellsville, Bradford and Otto-Eldred schools is one of the offshoots of federally assisted programs administered by the Y.
“We also get a lot of support from area businesses and the community,” Thornton added.
“It’s a healthy mix” of contributions and volunteers with the campaign typically having face-to-face contact with donors. Thornton said the volunteers, staff and board members are also invested in the campaign and donate to it.
“We raised over $13,000 in Olean from just our staff,” she recalled. “We want our board and staff 100 percent invested before we go out in the community” for donations.
Ann Marie Wright, Olean Y campaign chairperson, thanked all of the volunteers present for making a commitment to help.
“The YMCA is a place where everybody is welcome, regardless of race, age, religion or financial standing,” Wright said. “Through the annual campaign the Y provides financial assistance to keep programs available to children and families who need them most.”
In commenting further on the young man with disabilities, Alvey said the individual is an Olean native and had an accident in New York City that nearly killed him, but instead left him with a severe disability.
“He has no car, no phone and no email, but five days a week he walks two miles from his house to the YMCA,” Alvey said of the young man. “He is so appreciative that you all … and the YMCA community, go out and raise money every year so he can come here.
“That’s the tone we’re trying to set tonight — that as a Y we’re open to everybody,” Alvey concluded.
For more information on the YMCA, or to make a tax-exempt donation to the campaign, visit https://yourymca.org/Donate/
