The Under-Discussed Effect of COVID-19

I just signed my two kids up to play YMCA soccer this spring. We took a break over winter because of COVID-19 and didn’t participate in basketball. My family’s history with the YMCA, and youth sports, goes back to my earliest memories, even before kindergarten, playing on the exact same field but my kids play today at the Southwest YMCA in Omaha, Nebraska.  And like my dad, I enjoy coaching them when I can.

And you might ask why am I writing about this?

There are a number of current stories commenting on the efforts of local YMCA‘s and fundraising campaigns. 

• The YMCA in Honolulu is launching a massive campaign after losing half of its members in 2020, and thus half of its revenue

• The Greensburg YMCA is trying to make sure its pool is usable for its members as well as the local Ironman triathlon---and fundraising has to be the catalyst to get the roof fixed

• The YMCA Buffalo Niagara needs to raise more than $700,000 in under two months because of COVID-19 revenue losses

• The Wayne New Jersey YMCA is trying to recoup lost revenue for such community needs as school readiness mental health support, and even food security

I spend so much of my consulting professional life in healthcare and education. However, in my personal life, through my children, YMCA plays a big role in their development, both physically and emotionally. And I have such fond memories of my YMCA days on basketball floors, flag football fields, soccer fields, and being an official for various sports throughout my junior high and high school years.

An old friend runs the fundraising operations here in Omaha. I’ll probably reach out to him and ask if we can be helpful. In your community, what are some of the organizations that were affected by COVID-19 that need your attention?