By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles-Buchanan YMCA thanked all of its donors in a special way Monday evening.
Board President Elaine Miller, along with Capital Campaign Chairman Tim Tyler, unveiled the new donor recognition sign on the wall of the YMCA, which features the names of 266 donors who helped make the new YMCA possible.
"I am very thankful to everyone who contributed," said Bret Hendrie, CEO of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Monday night.
"So many donors on that sign have made multiple contributions and they just keep giving. It's donors like these who will make things happen and allow us to do additional things to the facility."
The donor recognition sign was designed and installed by US Signcrafters of Osceola, Ind. It features six different categories, where donors are listed in groups of: Pacesetter, Leadership, Major, Community Gold, Community Silver and Community Bronze.
To date, the donors have raised $3.458 million, which, Hendrie said, is the single largest fundraiser in this community in history.
"I did some research and the library came close, but I could find no one else who went above and beyond. That says a lot about our community and that people are not going to be told no. It's just overwhelming," Hendrie added.
Since the new YMCA was opened, it has seen an increase of 1,400 new membership units, which brings its total to 2,500.
The YMCA staff has also almost doubled.
Hendrie also said that donations are still needed and are being accepted to help pay for the new facility.
"We have one of the most beautiful YMCA's I have seen for a community our size. We want to keep that going and make this YMCA one of the best places. In order to keep this up, we need more donations," Hendrie said.
If anyone would like more information on being a donor, or would like to donate, please contact Hendrie at 683-1552.
The YMCA hours are Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.