YMCA director sets high fundraising goal
By MIKE HAMSON
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: February 17, 2016
BRANDON — As Dwight Kerr observes cancer survivors exercising at stations as part of the Live Strong program, he says it reminds him of why he loves his job.
Kerr, the district development director for the North Brandon and Campo Family YMCAs, said Live Strong is one of several feel-good programs that benefits from the YMCA’s yearly fundraising campaign.
Kerr said his goal is to help raise $215,000 for the Campo location and $65,000 for the North Brandon YMCA by the end of May.
“My goal is an easy one to do because not one penny of that goes to paint on walls or salaries or equipment,” Kerr said. “It all goes to families, children and not the upkeep of the building.”
“At the Campo Y, over half-a-million dollars each year goes to scholarships or the Live Strong class and cancer survivors. It’s all about the community.”
Kerr said the Campo YMCA is family-friendly, with a focus on youths as well as the 1,500 seniors who take “Silver Sneakers” classes.
Kerr gave a tour of the Campo facility, including the workout and heated pool areas.
“If you came at 6 in the morning, the lifeguard would be on duty and people would be doing their lap swims before they have to work,” he said. “Six in morning until 10 at night, they have swim lessons, swim teams.”
Adam Steward, the senior aquatics director, said another one of their community outreach initiatives is a free swim program offered to members and non-members during Spring Break.
“We have a ‘learn to swim safety around the water’ national initiative that we do here in Tampa,” Steward said.
“It’s free for anyone who signs up, even non-members. We try to get as many people into the classes as we can.”
Steward said they don’t want the cost of membership to stop anyone from participating in activities.
“We start lessons at 6 months and go all the way to adult ages,” Steward said. “Lessons are 6-weeks long once a week or twice a week for three weeks, offered to members and non-members. If there is any financial struggles, we give them financial assistance. The swim lessons progress so they are comfortable around the water as well as learn how to swim.”
Aaron Walters, the associate executive director at the Campo Y, enjoys being face-to-face with the participants of the 12-week Live Strong program.
“It’s free for them and it’s free for their family as well,” Walters said. “They usually meet twice a week with one of our trainers. They do a variety of things — exercising, going out into the pool, taking group classes. We take them shopping. It’s really a great program.”
The YMCA has a graduation ceremony at the end of each Live Strong class. Most Live Strong individuals come back to join the Y.
For more information on the Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico, or to donate to their annual fundraising drive, call (813) 684-1371.
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: February 17, 2016
BRANDON — As Dwight Kerr observes cancer survivors exercising at stations as part of the Live Strong program, he says it reminds him of why he loves his job.
Kerr, the district development director for the North Brandon and Campo Family YMCAs, said Live Strong is one of several feel-good programs that benefits from the YMCA’s yearly fundraising campaign.
Kerr said his goal is to help raise $215,000 for the Campo location and $65,000 for the North Brandon YMCA by the end of May.
“My goal is an easy one to do because not one penny of that goes to paint on walls or salaries or equipment,” Kerr said. “It all goes to families, children and not the upkeep of the building.”
“At the Campo Y, over half-a-million dollars each year goes to scholarships or the Live Strong class and cancer survivors. It’s all about the community.”
Kerr said the Campo YMCA is family-friendly, with a focus on youths as well as the 1,500 seniors who take “Silver Sneakers” classes.
Kerr gave a tour of the Campo facility, including the workout and heated pool areas.
“If you came at 6 in the morning, the lifeguard would be on duty and people would be doing their lap swims before they have to work,” he said. “Six in morning until 10 at night, they have swim lessons, swim teams.”
Adam Steward, the senior aquatics director, said another one of their community outreach initiatives is a free swim program offered to members and non-members during Spring Break.
“We have a ‘learn to swim safety around the water’ national initiative that we do here in Tampa,” Steward said.
“It’s free for anyone who signs up, even non-members. We try to get as many people into the classes as we can.”
Steward said they don’t want the cost of membership to stop anyone from participating in activities.
“We start lessons at 6 months and go all the way to adult ages,” Steward said. “Lessons are 6-weeks long once a week or twice a week for three weeks, offered to members and non-members. If there is any financial struggles, we give them financial assistance. The swim lessons progress so they are comfortable around the water as well as learn how to swim.”
Aaron Walters, the associate executive director at the Campo Y, enjoys being face-to-face with the participants of the 12-week Live Strong program.
“It’s free for them and it’s free for their family as well,” Walters said. “They usually meet twice a week with one of our trainers. They do a variety of things — exercising, going out into the pool, taking group classes. We take them shopping. It’s really a great program.”
The YMCA has a graduation ceremony at the end of each Live Strong class. Most Live Strong individuals come back to join the Y.
For more information on the Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico, or to donate to their annual fundraising drive, call (813) 684-1371.
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