“I never thought that I would be eligible to receive a scholarship through the YMCA,” said Holly, YMCA Family Member and mother to a bright and thriving young girl named Mary. “Mary hasn’t had the easiest life,” and the Y “not only helped me as the parent but my daughter Mary as well.”

Holly believes that Mary has grown into the person she is today because of the Y. While camps and after-school programming gave Holly the child care she needed so that she could work, Mary was gaining in confidence as she was learning to communicate, share with others and make friends.

The Y “is preparing my daughter to become a strong, mature, healthy girl who knows the importance of her community and giving back to others. I could never repay the YMCA for the impact that they have had on my family and I could never thank the YMCA enough for being a part of my family.” Because Mary loves the YMCA so much, she joined the Annual Campaign last year to help raise funds so that others may have the same opportunities that she was given.