YMCA capital campaign working on $2m goal

The Watertown Family YMCA's "Imagine the Possibilities" capital campaign committee is confident more major donors and the community portion of the campaign will help reach the $2 million goal by year's end.

John B. Johnson, campaign chairman, commended the community's efforts thus far.

"We've gotten some absolutely wonderful, generous support," he said. "We're confident in our ability to continue all three projects and move forward. We've been very pleased with the community's support and response."

Funds raised from the campaign will help renovate the Y's three north country locations and add a day-care facility on Washington Street. About $1 million will be used to renovate the former Obstetric & Gynecologic Associates of Northern New York building, 514 Washington St., for the day-care center. The facility will have slots for 80 children, including 12 to 14 infants.

About $600,000 of the campaign goal will cover the cost of renovations to the Fairgrounds Y branch, 585 Rand Drive, and $400,000 will cover the cost of renovations at locations at 250 State St., Carthage, and 119 Washington St.

Donations of any size are appreciated, said James P. Scordo, community gifts chairman.

The community phase will begin officially Sept. 20. Mr. Scordo said the goal is to raise $200,000 in approximately one month. The community campaign will be open to anyone, but people will be encouraged to call any of the three Y locations and watch the campaign video, which provides details of the project.

People can reach the branches by calling 755-9622 for the Fairgrounds Y, 493-3286 for the Carthage Y and 782-3100 for the Downtown Y.

"Anybody who's reading about this or has an interest in any of the Y programs can help, because it's a wide impact," Mr. Scordo said. "There's quite a wide spectrum of folks and now we're talking about a new day-care center, and that opens it up to many more individuals."

Donors who do not want to watch the campaign video, Mr. Scordo said, can just write checks to Watertown Family YMCA with "YMCA Capital Fund Drive" in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to Downtown YMCA, 119 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601.

In other Y news, the national YMCA has given each Y location up to four years to change its apparel, brochures, letterhead and signage to reflect the new logo. The Watertown Family YMCA will start to change the logo on its apparel and then print new brochures.