Give your Heart to a Child

In just two weeks the Give your Heart to a Child campaign will begin at the Sheridan County YMCA.

That scholarship program is funded largely through donations made by Sheridan County residents. In years past, YMCA employees and volunteers would canvass the county looking for residents with big hearts to donate to the program. Due to COVID-19 concerns, staff and volunteers will attempt to reach out in other ways as well.

The YMCA board and staff begin in-house, contributing what they can, they then begin their campaign to reach out to the community, according to YMCA Executive Director Liz Cassiday.

Although the program supports scholarships for many children to participate in YMCA sports, classes and memberships, the campaign raises funds to support scholarships that can be used by people of all ages who meet the requirements.

The YMCA processes an average of 4 scholarship applications a day. Approximately one in five memberships at the YMCA receive full or partial financial assistance.

All scholarships are handled with care and discretion, Cassiday said. Over 2,000 individuals receive financial assistance to participate in Y programming annually. To donate to the YMCA Give Your Heart to a Child campaign visit https://www.sheridanymca.org/give-your-heart-to-a-child.