STAFF REPORT
HOLLISTER
The YMCA of San Benito County surpassed its goal and raised $87,000 over the past six weeks for this year’s Strong Communities Campaign that raises funds for the organization.
Organizers and volunteers celebrated the achievement Tuesday at San Juan Oaks Golf Club for the campaign that started Feb. 3. The group’s goal had been to raise $85,000.
In a press release from local YMCA Executive Director Rochelle Callis, she noted how the group surpassed its funding goal despite the difficult economy.
Callis thanked all the volunteers and donors in the statement.
“As it is said,” she writes, “it takes a village to raise a child – thank you for being part of our village.”
San Benito Bank President Will Sutton, this year’s campaign chairman, said he was “very excited” and “very hopeful” for the YMCA’s future after this campaign.
“I’m really proud of the group because we had a lot of first-time campaign support team members,” he said. “They really went out and made a tremendous amount of new calls.”
Last year, the organization had a fundraising goal of $82,500 and received nearly $90,000 in pledges. This year, due to the economy, the group had a goal of $85,000 and ended up making just $3,000 less than in 2008.
“To me, it just proved this community is very supporting, even in times of need,” Sutton said.
