Today, our annual "Positive Perspectives" section gives an overview of some of the best of what Worthington has to offer.
One of the "positives" in this community is the Worthington Area YMCA, which -- as it has been well documented on these pages -- is working toward the construction of a new facility on the Worthington campus of Minnesota West Community and Technical College. The YMCA offers a little bit of something for everyone, and its annual Strong Kids campaign helps make that possible.
The Strong Kids campaign -- not to be confused with the capital campaign -- helps provide financial assistance to families wishing to participate in programs and membership. YMCA Executive Director Andy Johnson points out that there has been an increased demand on the need for financial assistance for families in recent years. He noted that there were more than 375 families that received such assistance in 2007, including more than 2,000 in youth programs.
"This year's campaign is very crucial to the YMCA," Johnson said in a news release issued this week. "This campaign has the ability to grow and prosper; we just need to get the word out to more people."
Consider the word out. The total campaign goal is $39,000, and the Y is currently at 25 percent of that figure. We would hope that residents who can afford to help may offer families and youths the chance to afford the same sorts of activities they can.
