The YMCA of Northern Colorado is ready to make a splash on Saturday and is hoping community members will break out their fancy duds and join the party.
The Y at 7 p.m. Saturday will hold its 11th annual Splash Gala and Fundraiser. And while the event will be virtual, the nonprofit says the need for the event is even more real in the time of coronavirus.
“COVID has not been kind to us, as it has been to many, many businesses, but the YMCA is different,” Chris Coker, YMCA of Northern Colorado CEO/president, stated in a news release. “The YMCA is an asset that every community must have to be as strong as it possibly can be. We have resources and assets, but this situation does mean we may have to divest ourselves of one of our assets. That possibly means closing one of your YMCAs. We need to raise money, and we need to raise money right now.”
Earlier this month, the YMCA announced it was temporarily reducing the hours at its four facilities in Boulder and Weld counties, including the Ed & Ruth Lehman Y in Longmont. The changes were made in response to lower visitation during the pandemic.
But even as hours are reduced, Y locations across the region have expanded their offerings to include remote learning and child care programs for kindergarten through fifth grade students in St. Vrain Valley, Boulder Valley, Weld RE-5J and Thompson school districts.
The Y is experiencing a $3 million deficit as a consequence of COVID-related changes to programming and declining member participation, losing $850,000 a month to budget, Coker told the Leader earlier this month: “We will be an $8 million business that should have been about a $14 to $15 million business this year,” Coker said, adding that while the YMCA received federal Paycheck Protection Program money and had a good cash reserve, those funds have not been enough to close the gap.
“(The Northern Colorado) Y has survived the Spanish flu, the great wars, the Great Depression, and everything in between, but this is different, this is knocking us to our knees ... we could really use the help right now,” Coker said in that earlier interview.
Proceeds from the Splash will support programs that benefit “thousands of children, families and seniors who depend on the YMCA of Northern Colorado with programs such as remote learning care, preschool, after-school care and wellness programs,” according to the release.
Those who log in for the Splash are encouraged, despite the pandemic, to get “gussied up for the event,” which also will include silent and live auctions for items including gift cards, products and trips, according to the release.
To learn more about auction prizes and to register for the event, click here. Those who cannot attend but would like to donate to the Y can do so here.
