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UNITED WAY DONATIONS BENEFITS YMCA'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMThe
following story is about an individual who has benefited from the YMCA Financial
Assistance Program, which awards full or partial scholarships based on an
applicant's ability to pay and the YMCA’s ability to fund the amount
requested. **In concurrence with
their policy to ensure confidentiality as a scholarship recipient the name of the
person was changed to protect their privacy. In
February of 2000, the Miami County YMCA opened the Robinson Branch
located in Troy, Ohio. The
excitement in the community about the new facility brought thousands of visitors
and perspective members were eager to join. When
the doors opened, **Betty Taylor was among the first to arrive.
Betty was a breast cancer survivor
who had also gone through a knee replacement surgery;
consequently, she was not taking her health for granted and was concerned about
staying fit. After seeing the new
Y, she really wanted to join but wondered how she could afford a membership,
being a senior living on a fixed income. Then,
she saw the flyers at the front desk. Betty
picked one up. "There's
No Need
to Be Left Out", she read. The YMCA has a policy to not turn any individual
or family away due to the inability to pay for membership and offers financial
assistance through a scholarship program. Betty
filled out the scholarship application and has re-applied every
year since. "I wouldn't be
here today if it wasn't for the YMCA", she says. "You can't begin to know how much it helps
me with all my health problems and my low income. The Y has helped me to make it through the day
each day. If it wasn't for the pool
and whirlpool some days I couldn't make it as easily.” (Betty is referring to her painful arthritis which
makes exercising a challenging event.) "Some
elderly people get a little pain and quit moving, but coming to the
YMCA keeps me mobile and motivated", she says. In
2004, Betty was hospitalized three different times and yet would
return to her routine of working out 5 days a week early in the morning before
going to her part-time secretarial job she keeps supplementing her income.
"Because of blood clots
I've had to back off of some of the machines", says the 71
year old, "but you can't imagine how much that warm-water pool helps me
after I get in there and exercise". Betty
sends thank you notes every year, expressing her appreciation for the
scholarship program and how being a recipient has benefited her by helping her
to achieve a better quality of life. "I
love coming in because everyone is so nice.
They really treat you like a person, you know, like family." While
preparing this article Betty was hospitalized again, this
time for a blood transfusion; and what was her comment when we reached her
at home by telephone. "Hopefully,
I'll feel better soon; I can't wait to get back".
Wow!! Betty you're an
inspiration to all of us! Your
charitable donations through the Tipp City Area United Way help fund this
program and 25 additional health and human service programs to assist residents
from the Tipp City, Monroe, and Bethel Townships. No donation is ever too small and is greatly appreciated.
You may send your tax-deductible donation to: Deborah Carr, Tipp City
Area United Way, P.O. Box 95, Tipp City, OH
45371 or call our office 669-3863. More
information may also be obtained at www.tippcityauw.org. |
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