The bright and fun decor in their display windows leave no doubt that Y130 is dedicated to children. And that dedication is about to go another step further. The Y130, along with the Thomson Family Y, recently kicked off a fundraising campaign to benefit their scholarship programs.
The scholarship programs pay membership or program fees at the Family Y and Y130 for individuals or families who are not able to afford them. Y130 Branch Manager Corie Johnson said most of Thomson's scholarships help pay for children's participation in programs such as summer camps, dance, karate and gymnastics.
"We want all kids to have the experience of all of our teachers, especially if it keeps them from just sitting at home doing nothing," she said.
Mrs. Johnson said the scholarships benefit adults, too. All applicants are screened, and the fees are based on their income.
"At any time at some point in their lives, almost everyone falls into this category of needing help," she said. "Whether through a job layoff or an unexpected medical expense or a divorce."
Although all the Family Ys in the Central Savannah River Area are in the midst of the same fundraising campaign, each center is raising it's own money, Mrs. Johnson said.
"All the money we raise stays in McDuffie County, and all proceeds go to our scholarship program," she said.
The goal of the Thomson Family Y and Y130 is $38,500 in six weeks, and the community has two ways to help: the "Sit for Strong Kids" art auction and a "Valentine's Day Ball."
Students at the Y130 Center have created masterpieces out of unwanted chairs and benches, which will be auctioned from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Y130. Fifteen pieces of furniture are whimsically decorated in themes such as a ballerina chair, a Georgia Bulldog chair and a "time capsule" bench with old pictures of Thomson decoupaged on it.
And little ones can enjoy a night fit for fairy tales during the Father-Daughter/Mother-Son Valentine's Day Ball from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. Children get to dress up, bring a "date" of a parent, aunt or uncle or grandparent and make a grand entrance on the red carpet, have their picture made and dance the night away. Refreshments and crafts also will be available.
"It's like a little kid prom. They can get all dressed up and have a ball," Mrs. Johnson said.
The cost is $20 per Y-member couple and $25 per nonmember couple. Additional children are $2. The ball will be at the National Guard Armory.
"We also will accept donations for our scholarships throughout the campaign at the Y on Hill Street or the Y130 on Main Street," Mrs. Johnson said. "Every dollar counts. I don't think a lot of people know we give out scholarships, but we want to serve everybody."
The campaign ends the first week in March.
