3M makes sizeable donation to Osage Prairie YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
Strong kids, strong families, and strong communities are a large part of what the Osage Prairie YMCA stands for. The YMCA has so many different aspects to offer an individual or family; whether it is swimming, exercising, youth programs or gathering around a table to drink a cup of coffee. In whole we are a large family.
Each year, the Osage Prairie YMCA has a Strong Kids Campaign that raises money to assist individuals, families, and youth that are in need of financial assistance. Financial assistance is given towards memberships, youth programs, and camps. In 2009, the YMCA awarded over $56,000 towards helping those in need, and this year we are on pace to award over $90,000. More than 200 families received financial assistance and the number is growing each year. Our mission at the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
With the help of the 3M Foundation, who donated $4,000 to the Strong Kids Campaign this year, we ended our campaign with just over $38,000 pledged. All Strong Kids' donations go towards helping families like the Besaws. The Besaws' have had a difficult time as of late.
Their mom is chronically and seriously ill. Due to the high costs of her medications, she needed some help so that her daughter Jessi could continue to have fun opportunities like summer camp with her friends. And the Besaws' are not the only family that needs assistance. If the community did not have such giving individuals, over 50 percent of the kids would have missed out on summer camps, youth basketball leagues, swim lessons, tumbling and other programs.
Our mission states that the YMCA is for all, that we build strong kids, strong families and strong communities; without the help and support of the community, our mission would fail. Without the generosity of the community, like 3M, we wouldn't be able to provide a place for children to grow and for families to spend quality time together.
Community members have another opportunity to help families and youth in need. The YMCA is hosting our Holiday Festival, Friday, November 5 at 6 p.m. This is a live and silent auction with many wonderful donations from local business partners, so come join the fun and get a jump start on your Christmas shopping. Good food and good music will set the atmosphere, and free child care is available. For more information on the Strong Kids Campaign or to find out how you can help please contact Matt Schneringer at the YMCA, (417) 667-9622.