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Festival helps enrich Y services

Published Friday, March 25, 2011 1:01 PM

By Roger Lee
Summerville Journal Scene

For some its blooming flowers while for others its seemingly endless stretches of vendors peddling magnificent crafts or the hoard of people crammed onto Main Street, but for most fundraising isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the phrase Flowertown Festival.

However, one of the main reasons for having the festival is to raise funds for the Summerville YMCA so it can continue to offer a diverse group of programs that are beneficial to the community. Without the festival, the Y would have to either find new sources of revenue, such as raising membership rates, or cut back on the types of programs it offers. Either way, that could lead to a less enriched life for some in the area.

With a festival, the Y is able to offer a scholarship program so that even those who may not have the means can participate in its programs. Without it, that program could go by the way side.

“We offer scholarships for all of our programs.” Summerville Y Downtown Branch Director Jan Parsons said. “Especially with our youth programs if someone wants to participate we want them to even if they can’t afford our fees. There’s a packet of information families have to fill out and then our membership director or program director for the individual program considers a family’s income and expenses and we help subsidize what they can’t afford.”

Parsons estimates the Y subsidizes at least $160,000 worth of services each year. Last summer the Y even offered free swimming lessons to children who otherwise may have not learned how to swim.

“That’s the great thing about the Y,” Parsons said. A big part of what we do is helping those in need and giving back to the community.”

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

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