If you’ve driven by the White Rock YMCA’s property on Gaston recently, it’s clear that change is afoot. But landscaping isn’t the only progress being made.
For starters, the YMCA announced during a board meeting yesterday that it has officially changed its name to the White Rock YMCA. If you’re thinking, “…and that’s different because?” Well, it’s different because it wasn’t officially named the White Rock YMCA before; that’s just what everyone called it. Up until a month ago, it was officially called the YMCA at White Rock.
“So we’ve officially made that change,” says CEO and president Gordon Echtenkamp. “We presented to our board of directors, who made the recommendation to the YMCA of the USA to change the name to the ‘White Rock YMCA.’ So we’re excited about that because that’s what you called us anyways.”
And the first order of business the White Rock YMCA has to complete is a good one — depositing a $3 million check toward its fundraising campaign.
The White Rock YMCA received a $3 million donation from an anonymous donor, which Echtenkamp says will go a long way toward helping the Y complete the project.
The donor is from the White Rock area, Echtenkamp says. He’s “concerned about kids, he’s concerned about this community, but he also loves the Y and all that the Y stands for.” But other than those clues, he’s… well, anonymous.
Not only does the mystery man’s donation bring the White Rock YMCA within 85-90 percent of its end goal of $14 million, it also secures plans for an outdoor pool and gymnasium. Up until now, the YMCA didn’t have the funds to pursue the hoped-for back section in phase one, although they hoped to be able to complete the project through a second phase. With this donation, the White Rock YMCA won’t have to phase the development, which will include an outdoor family leisure pool, a splash park and playground.
Not only that, they also recently received a challenge grant from The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The YMCA is on its last leg of the fundraising campaign. They need to raise $2 million by January 2015, and the Mabee Foundation wants to help ease that load. If the White Rock Y is able to raise $1.5 million by January, then the Mabee Foundation will donate the last $500,000.
To kick things off, the Y launched the Click the Brick campaign. Starting at $1,500, community members can purchase a brick with their name on it. Each will receive a yard sign saying “I gave to my Y.”
Go to the White Rock YMCA website to learn more.
