YMCA fundraising campaign surpasses goal, sets record

EVERETT — The YMCA of Snohomish County has exceeded its goal and set a record with its 2014 fundraising campaign. By April 15, the campaign had raised $1,348,771 to support programs that promote health, well-being and opportunities for kids and families.

The campaign outpaced a goal of $1,313,000, with a total that was 5 percent higher than last year’s, said Scott Washburn, the YMCA of Snohomish County president and CEO.

The annual campaign supports programs at the Y’s five local branches — in Everett, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe and Mukilteo — its Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate office, and its Stanwood-Camano outreach initiative.

Washburn said Monday that each YMCA branch runs its own campaign. Scott Forslund, of Premera Blue Cross, was this year’s association-wide campaign chairman.

“This is the most money raised in our YMCA history, and we are truly blessed by the commitment of our community,” Forslund said in a prepared statement.

The YMCA’s Financial Assistance Program, supported by contributions to the annual campaign and United Way of Snohomish County, provided $2,107,414 in direct help to 10,426 people in 2013. “If someone wants to join and can’t afford the full fee, we provide scholarships or waivers,” Washburn said.

And about $3,985,232 was provided in 2013 in youth and family program subsidies. Last year, YMCA donors helped 47,300 children have a safe place after school; offered opportunities for area teens; and provided healthy-living activities for 62,000 adults.

Branch and affiliate leaders for the 2014 campaign were: Kelly Shepherd, Everett Family YMCA; Sean King, Marysville Family YMCA; Jason Lucas, Mill Creek Family YMCA; Marnie Schaffer, Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA; Greg Abbey, Mukilteo Family YMCA; Dan Gunderson and Scott Comey, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Gary Cohn, YMCA of Snohomish County Board of Trustees; and Jerry Will and Carolyn Klein, Stanwood/Camano Initiative.

Washburn’s campaign announcement came two days before the YMCA of Snohomish County Good Friday Prayer Breakfast. The community event is not a fundraiser, said Colleen Temple, the local Y’s director of marketing and communications.

A tradition that began March 3, 1960, as a Lenten Breakfast, the event brings people together in a nondenominational setting to give thanks and seek guidance for the year. Almost 400 people attended Friday’s 54th annual prayer breakfast in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at Everett’s Comcast Arena.

Amy Roloff, featured on the TLC reality TV series “Little People, Big World,” was the featured speaker. Sharing her Christian faith, Roloff spoke about her experiences as a child affected by dwarfism. She said that her father, before her first day of school, told her that “God doesn’t make mistakes” and that “you were meant to be different.”

Roloff ended her talk by asking people to “LIFT” others up — with L for listening and loving, I for getting involved, F for fighting for what’s right, and T for being thankful.

Washburn said the prayer breakfast honors the YMCA’s Christian heritage. Those letters stand for Young Men’s Christian Association.

“We also know we have evolved. Our goal is to be diverse, inclusive and welcoming,” he said. “We don’t espouse one religion, but we still promote a healthy mind, body and spirit.”

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Healthy Kids Day

The YMCA of Snohomish County will host Healthy Kids Day, with free events for kids and families, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at all five branches. There will be food, games and opportunities to plan for summer YMCA programs. Locations are: Everett Family YMCA, 2720 Rockefeller Ave.; Marysville Family YMCA, 6420 60th Drive NE; Mill Creek Family YMCA, 13723 Puget Park Drive, Everett; Monroe/Sky Valley YMCA, 14033 Fryelands Blvd.; Mukilteo Family YMCA, 10601 47th Place W. Information: www.ymca-snoco.org/hkd

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.