By By Chandler Myers
The Atmore Area YMCA received a much needed grant last Friday in the form of a check from the W.T. Neal Trust, which is one of the main contributors to the financing of the Atmore YMCA.
The check, with the amount of $85,000 enclosed, will be put towards all of the programs, sports, scholarships and maintenance that is in next year’s budget.
Atmore YMCA executive director Tammy Graham said she is excited about the grant being given to the YMCA and appreciates all of the support it receives from the W.T. Neal Trust.
With the funding, the YMCA is able to support their programs and sports with specifics that are needed such as two way rechargeable radios for the summer day camp, flooring for the nursery and a practice bar for the gymnastics team among other things.
Aside from the programs, there are scholarships that are given by the Y to families or people on fixed incomes that might not be able to afford to pay the full amount for a membership or programs that are offered.
The funding from the trust helps support the balance needed to fully fund people who want to be members or send their children to summer or after school care.
Graham said this grant is a great thing because it helps keep the Y open and gives these scholarships to the people who need them the most.
Other than the scholarships, Graham said the Atmore Area YMCA is looking to improve the maintenance to the building as well as add small things to the sports programs.
The number of funding opportunities for the Atmore Area YMCA is narrowing down, with the W.T. Neal Trust ending in 2010.
Graham said that funding is critical for the operation of the YMCA unless the community becomes more involved.