MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN

Dear Friends,

I am honored and excited to accept this leadership role as chair of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut's Capital Campaign. This campaign presents an enormous opportunity to continue the wonderful programming that it is provided to the greater Danbury community for 40 years. Each of our unique branches works hard to serve the Y's mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

However, the Y is at a critical stage in its history. Each year over 1500 children attend a YMCA day camp. And yet, the Y is unable to provide scholarships to all that need them. At our largest camp, Camp Greenknoll, the pools are beyond their useful life and must be replaced. The Boughton Street branch that had been scheduled to close has seen an outpouring of community support in the last year. However, its facilities are in need of major renovations. A successful capital campaign will allow the Y to continue the programs that it currently provides as well as expand its programming to address the ever-changing needs of the community.

Additionally, The Centers for Disease Control has identified obesity as one of the leading health problems facing our nation today. In fact, in the state of Connecticut over 50% of the adult population and 19% of children are identified as either overweight or obese. The good news is that the Y is already poised to offer not only the programs, but also the support needed to fight this crisis. The Regional Y has joined in a national public health initiative called Activate America, a program whose focus is to make healthier living a reality.

Your support of the capital campaign will allow the Y to:
· Replace the existing pools at Camp Greenknoll with a 50 meter Olympic style pool and Aquatics Center
· Renovate the Boughton Street branch into a state of the art facility
· Provide more scholarships to those who need them through capacity building

None of this can happen without your help. Please consider making a gift so that the Y may continue the wonderful work that it has done in our community for over 50 years.

Thank you.

Kevin Kelleher

Campaign Chairman
President/CEO Cendant Mobility