2021 Annual Campaign Underway

IRON MOUNTAIN – In a time when the need has never been greater, the Northern Lights YMCA Dickinson Center recently kicked off its 2021 Annual Campaign with a virtual event.

The YMCA Annual Campaign raises money so that all in the Dickinson County and surrounding communities can have access to YMCA membership, programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“Annual Campaign support helps us answer critical needs for families in our community,” Dickinson Center Director Jonathan Ringel said. “Swim lessons, child care, membership, dollars from the Annual Campaign directly help folks who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate.”

The Dickinson Center goal for 2021 is $80,000, and team of nearly 35 volunteers will be working for the next couple of months to achieve the target. Annually, the YMCA receives nearly 400 donations toward its campaign.

Funds raised through the Annual Campaign directly support the Dickinson Center in areas such as swim lessons, summer day camp, senior wellness programming, homelessness initiatives, scholarship membership and other program support.

Despite being closed during a portion of 2020 due to the COVID shutdowns, the Systems Control Little Sparks Child Care Center remained open as a designated emergency child care location. The Y provided child care for more than two dozen children of essentials workers during the Safer-At-Home order, offering more than $13,000 in financial assistance during that period.

During the school closures, the YMCA created a COVID Camp, offering virtual learning pods, meals and activities for 30 kids. Nearly 50% of the program’s enrollment received financial support through the Annual Campaign to attend.

Individuals, families or businesses interested in supporting the YMCA Annual Campaign at a higher level are able to donate at a banner level. Donations of $750 receive a bronze banner. A $1,500 contribution receives a silver banner, and donations of $5,000 or more earn a gold level banner. The banners, which display the contributor or business name, are hung throughout the YMCA for the entire year.

“We simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do to fulfill the mission of the YMCA without the support of our Annual Campaign donors,” Ringel said. “We are so thankful for their continued support each and every year.”

To learn more about how you can support the Y’s cause, please contact Jonathan Ringel, NLYMCA Dickinson Center Director at (906) 774-4076 or jringel@nlymca.com. You can also donate by clicking here.