It's Queens Magazine
In support of neighborhood families and children, the Greenpoint YMCA held their 2013 Annual Strong Kids Campaign Kickoff in its gymnasium last week.
Following a meal provided by Red Stone, L.A. Pizza and Brooklyn Cupcake, program instructors showcased some of the things they have been working on with their kids over the last year.
Children and adults got up to shake out the work and school day jitters with a Zumba work-out, a group of young musicians performed songs like Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” on guitar, and YMCA instructors performed Capoeira to show some of the programs taking place in the coming year.
Nearly 4,000 kids benefit with free and low-cost programs throughout the year with assistance from the Strong Kids Campaign, and according to Tatiana Terzouli, director of fund development and communications at the Greenpoint YMCA, it is fundraisers like this that help to hold the community together.
“For 2012, it was a really rough year. There was the hurricane, and with the economy people that would normally take classes it became something they had to decide whether they could afford or not,” said Tatiana Terzouli, director of Fund Development and Communications. “We give them the ability to send their kids to after-school programs so they can go to work.”
With a goal of $160,000, the campaign began taking donations of $25 to $2,500 in order to help the families of Greenpoint and Williamsburg provide their kids an opportunity to get involved in some of the many programs offered at the YMCA.
“This will give the kids the ability to participate in the classes that we have,” she said. “Whether it’s swimming, whether it’s fitness programs or whether it’s a family membership, it is something to help kids and families spend time together.”
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