The photo and report are from Joleen Post of the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor):

Tonight, more than 100 YMCA volunteers and staff kicked off the Together We Can Build a Better Us campaign at The Hall at Fauntleroy! 2016 is an exciting year at the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA and the goal is to raise $400,000 by March 16.

$350,000 will be designated to the Youth and Family Programs Fund. This enables the Y to offer West Seattle kids the chance to develop their full potential through academic support and enrichment, camps, youth sports, swimming, after-school programs, early learning, and more. Many of the Y’s school-based academic-support programs are free thanks to community donations. For Y programs with a fee, this fund supports families who cannot afford the full cost.

$50,000 will be designated toward the Building Fund, supporting the upcoming West Seattle YMCA facility expansion and renovation. The Y has already raised nearly $3.64 million locally toward an overall goal of $4 million. Construction on the expansion and renovation will start when the Y receives building permits this spring. Learn more at OurNewY.org.

Donors may choose which fund they prefer to support or designate their gift to the Community’s Greatest Need. Since this year is a big one for the Y – the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA Board is diving in and matching every new and increased gift.

You can help by giving to the Y’s just-launched Together We Can Build a Better Us campaign here.