The Northern Lights YMCA is proud to announce that the community has successfully fulfilled the $1,000,000 Matching Challenge established by the John and Melissa Besse Foundation, marking a major milestone in the YMCA Capital Campaign to build a new Aquatic Center.
The challenge inspired an extraordinary response from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations throughout the region, doubling the impact of charitable giving and accelerating the campaign toward its goal.
Today, the YMCA is excited to announce the next phase of the campaign: a new $500,000 Matching Challenge generously established by the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation. Eligible new gift s made toward the Aquatic Center Capital Campaign will now be matched, dollar for dollar, helping donors make twice the impact as the campaign enters its final stretch.
“This is truly a celebration of our community,” said Caron Salo, Associate Executive Director of the Northern Lights YMCA. “The John and Melissa Besse Foundation challenged our community to dream bigger, and our donors responded in an incredible way. Toget her, we’ve reached an important milestone that brings us one step closer to making our vision a reality. “
With the completion of the Besse Foundation challenge, the campaign has now reached 8 6 percent of its fundraising goal, demonstrating the strong community support behind the vision for a modern Aquatic Center that will serve residents for generations.
The future Aquatic Center will expand access to swim lessons, lifesaving water safety education, competitive and recreational swimming, family recreation, and wellness programming. The facility will also strengthen partnerships with local schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations while creating new opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
The YMCA expressed its sincere appreciation to the John and Melissa Besse Foundation for launching the transformational matching challenge and to every donor whose generosity made its completion possible.
“We are deeply grateful to the John and Melissa Besse Foundation for their leadership and vision,” Salo said. “Their challenge inspired hundreds of conversations and countless acts of generosity. We are equally thankful to the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation for stepping forward to continue that momentum with this exciting new $500,000 matching challenge.”
While reaching 86 percent of the campaign goal represents significant progress, YMCA leaders emphasize that the work is not yet finished. The new Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation Matching Challenge provides donors with another opportunity to double their impact while helping c omplete the fundraising needed to begin construction of the new Aquatic Center.
Community members interested in participating in the matching challenge are encouraged to contact the Northern Lights YMCA to learn how their gift can be matched.
For more information about the Northern Lights YMCA Capital Campaign or to make a gift, contact the YMCA at 906-789-0005 , visit their website at www.nlyma.com, r stop in atthe Northern Lights YMCA at 2000 North 30th Steet, Escanaba.
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