I'd like to tell you my Y story. I live in the community surrounding the Peter Blum YMCA in Boca Raton. My neighbors all send their children to the YMCA for childcare, so when I found out I was pregnant there was no question that I wanted to send my son to the YMCA, too, even though I had never before stepped foot inside the building. My husband and I toured the facility while pregnant and committed to enrolling our son; I found out recently that my son is the first YMCA child enrolled in childcare before he was born!

The teachers and staff at the YMCA childcare center have become an extension of my family in the last 6 months. They all treat my child with such love. Their passion for and love of the children is incredible and makes me feel safe and comfortable leaving my child all day so my husband and I can work. My Y story is just beginning and I know that my son and my family will enjoy many memories to come.

I found out through my involvement in the YMCA that 1 in 3 YMCA members throughout the Boca Raton branch receive some type of financial assistance through the Annual Giving Campaign. Every single dollar gifted through the Annual Giving Campaign goes back into our community to help families in need.

This year, my husband Steve and I are gifting $1,265 to the Annual Giving Campaign; this amount reflects the cost of 1 month of childcare for the 1-2 year old classroom. The monthly cost ranges from $715 to $1,265 depending on the age of the child. If a YMCA family has an unexpected emergency like losing their employment, losing a spouse, or a medical emergency, I know that my donation will help keep consistency in that family's life by making sure their child can continue on with the amazing teachers, staff, and curriculum at the YMCA childcare center.

I know that $1,265 is a lot to ask anyone to donate. Any meaningful gift is appreciated by the YMCA. Here are some other ways you can make a meaningful gift:

$420-Affords a youth membership for a Teen, creating a sense of belonging, friendship and achievement

$380-Provides a child with recreation, role models and homework assistance in the YMCA after school program and Chases Place

$250 allows a cancer survivor the opportunity to partake in a 12-week exercise program called LiveSTRONG

$175-Brings swimming to the life of one special needs child by providing one-on-one adaptive swim lessons

$83-Gives a child the opportunity to participate in one season of youth sports to learn about teamwork, positive values and building confidence

Will you please join me in exceeding my goal of raising $1,700 in meaningful gifts for the YMCA Annual Giving Campaign?