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Grants help YMCA fund programs
YMCA-3
Kids enjoy activities during the after school program at the Richmond Hill YMCA. The organization has recently received several grants.

When it comes to grants, The Bryan County YMCA has been on a roll lately.

The latest grant is from the retail chain Target. As a result, $1,500 will go toward creating a new after-school reading program aimed at enhancing five character traits in local youth: honesty, respect, responsibility, caring and faith.

"This grant is a blessing because we always try to teach kids the importance of reading as well as each of these traits," Bryan County YMCA Director Tony Welch said. "The after school may be a place for homework and recreation, but we also try to instill character into our kids."

Others include a $10,200 grant from retailer JCPenney to make scholarships available for less fortunate children and $10,000 from the Food Lion Charitable Foundation and America’s Second Harvest food bank to create the Kids Café in Pembroke.

Welch said he would like to find a grant that would open up a similar café in Richmond Hill. He also said he will continually strive to reach for grant money to enhance the Y’s many programs, such as after school, sports and day camp.

The group is preparing for its annual prices gift campaign, which looks to raise money to establish scholarships for more kids to participate in the Bryan County YMCA. Welch said the goals are to raise $38,000 for Richmond Hill and $5,000 for Pembroke. He said the goals are the same as last year, and he was hesitant to increase the numbers due to a struggling economy.

"Every dollar raised during the campaign goes strictly toward scholarships," Welch said. "That’s another reason why grants are so important in helping our programs."

The fundraising campaign is slated for February-March, but donations are accepted year-round. For more information, call the Bryan County YMCA at 756-5856 or 653-4484.

The latest grant is from the retail chain Target. As a result, $1,500 will go toward creating a new after-school reading program aimed at enhancing five character traits in local youth: honesty, respect, responsibility, caring and faith.

"This grant is a blessing because we always try to teach kids the importance of reading as well as each of these traits," Bryan County YMCA Director Tony Welch said. "The after school may be a place for homework and recreation, but we also try to instill character into our kids."

Others include a $10,200 grant from retailer JCPenney to make scholarships available for less fortunate children and $10,000 from the Food Lion Charitable Foundation and America’s Second Harvest food bank to create the Kids Café in Pembroke.

Welch said he would like to find a grant that would open up a similar café in Richmond Hill. He also said he will continually strive to reach for grant money to enhance the Y’s many programs, such as after school, sports and day camp.

The group is preparing for its annual prices gift campaign, which looks to raise money to establish scholarships for more kids to participate in the Bryan County YMCA. Welch said the goals are to raise $38,000 for Richmond Hill and $5,000 for Pembroke. He said the goals are the same as last year, and he was hesitant to increase the numbers due to a struggling economy.

"Every dollar raised during the campaign goes strictly toward scholarships," Welch said. "That’s another reason why grants are so important in helping our programs."

The fundraising campaign is slated for February-March, but donations are accepted year-round. For more information, call the Bryan County YMCA at 756-5856 or 653-4484.

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