YOUR GIFT. THEIR FUTURE.
INVESTING IN BRIGHTER FUTURES.
We believe health shouldn’t depend on income. We believe every child should learn to swim and have the chance to play the sport they love. We believe everyone deserves a safe, welcoming place to find connection and belonging.
When you give to the YMCA, you transform those beliefs into real impact and brighter futures right here in our community. Thank you for believing in the YMCA and the difference we can make together. Because of you, we’re building a stronger, healthier, more connected St. Cloud!
MEET THE SKELTON FAMILY
In 2017, life looked a lot different for the Skelton family. Heather and Rick were parents to their toddler, Harper, balancing work, parenting, and daily routines. Then came news that would change everything — they were expecting twins.
Suddenly a family of five, the Skeltons quickly discovered what many of our members already know: the YMCA isn’t just a place to workout, it’s a place where families find balance, support, and community.
With two infants and a toddler, life was full. Rick became a stay-at-home parent, caring for their own children and at one point, another family’s baby, too. Thanks to financial assistance made possible by donors like you, the Skeltons were able to maintain a YMCA membership. It gave their daughters safe, engaging outlets like Kid Zone and Parent’s Night Out, and gave them as parents something just as important – a chance to recharge.
As the girls grew, so did their connection to the Y. Financial assistance allowed them to attend Summer Adventure Camp and enroll in swim lessons, where they made lasting friendships and learned valuable safety skills. Camp counselors became mentors, modeling kindness, teaching life skills (like how to French braid!), and helping the girls build confidence.
By 2021, the Skeltons’ small side business, Imprint Apparel, had grown into a thriving local company. Today, they’re not just members, they’re partners. Imprint Apparel prints shirts for Y staff and campers and prioritizes giving back to the community.
The Skelton family’s story reflects what the Y is all about: supporting people at every stage of life. Your gift doesn’t just help individual families; it strengthens the fabric of our entire community. Because of your generosity, stories like theirs are possible. Together, we help families thrive, children grow, and our community become stronger.
“None of this would be possible without the financial assistance the Y provided us,” says Rick. “The Y gave us more than support or an outlet for our girls, it gave us the opportunity to build something meaningful for our family to truly thrive.”
ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Your gift to the YMCA’s Annual Fund Campaign supports these transformational initiatives:
At the Y, no one is turned away because they can’t afford membership dues or program costs.
YMCA swim lessons help people of all ages build confidence and life-saving skills in the water.
YMCA youth sports provide opportunities for kids to build skills, nurture all-around athleticism, and connect with positive role models. Programs include basketball, flag football, soccer, t-ball, volleyball, and more.
SWIM LESSONS YOUTH SPORTS CAMP OLSON SAFETY AROUND WATER
Every summer, the YMCA teams up with Camp Olson, a YMCA overnight camp near Longville, MN, to send middle schoolers to camp who would otherwise be unable to afford the experience.
A free water safety and basic swim instruction program for second graders in St. Cloud Area District 742.
SUPERVISED VISITATION AND EXCHANGES
Reuniting families and strengthening relationships by providing a safe, supportive space for supervised visits or child exchanges.
SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP
When school’s out, the Y’s Summer Adventure Camp keeps kids learning, growing, and having fun all summer long.
Join our community of year-round givers. Pledge your support and choose your payment frequency. Monthly, quarterly, annual, and one-time donation schedules are available. Below are some examples of the impact your gift can make!
$10,000 Ambassador: Provides financial assistance for 23 families for a year.
$5,000 Founder: Allows 50 children to participate in the Safety Around Water program.
$2,500 Benefactor: Supports financial assistance for 12 youth annual memberships.
$1,000 Champion: Ensures 4 children enjoy a full week at Summer Adventure Camp.
$500: Funds 20 hours of financial assistance for a family in our supervised visitation program.
$250: Supports 10 children in our youth sports programs for one month.
$100: Teaches essential swimming skills to 3 children during a month of lessons.
Donors who pledge at least $50 to the Annual Fund by the end of 2026 will be recognized on our donor wall. Those who pledge $1,000 or more will have their names displayed on a banner inside the Y around the walking track.