A $100,000 Challenge.

A long-time friend of the YMCA of Greater Nashua has offered a challenge: If they Y can raise $100,000 by Dec. 31, it will receive a $100,000 match.

The challenge comes as part of the Y’s larger effort to raise $4.275 million to support its programs by making an unprecedented investment in the Y’s facilities.

"We look to the community to help us achieve this match so that we may upgrade the infrastructure to run programs and classes for our community. When the Y’s programs grow, we all benefit. Child care; wellness after cancer treatment; teen leadership; youth development; nutrition. diabetes prevention and management; adult fitness – it’s all at the Y," said Mike LaChance, YMCA CEO. "Please join us and contribute to the Y’s growth and expansion."

What’s Involved in the Y’s Expansion?

? A 6,000 square-foot addition to the Nashua Y that will double the cardio area; add a program studio to support wellness programs and movement-based programs for children, and create a new multi-purpose room that will house our healthy living initiatives. Nutrition classes, chronic disease prevention programs, and education seminars will now have a home. The room will be available for programming by nonprofits in the community without space of their own.

? An upgrade to the swimming pool and locker rooms at the Merrimack Y, allowing for more aquatics programs, senior activities, and youth development programs. This includes state-of-the-art circulation and filtrations systems so the pool will use two-thirds less chlorine and the addition of a fun play element for kids, creating great water play time for children in our youth development programs and member families.

? New cabins and the renovation of existing ones at Camp Sargent and Camp Spaulding, ensuring more children achieve the camp experience each summer. Summer camps provide pivotal growth experiences for children, improving social skills, opportunities for leadership development and conquering challenges. The goal is for campers have fun, make friends and continue learning throughout the summer. The YMCA of Greater Nashua offers the traditional camp experience for 2,500 youth a summer from all backgrounds in two rural locations: Camp Sargent on Lake Naticook in Merrimack and Camp Spaulding on the Contoocook River in Concord.

? The already completed addition of six new early education classrooms and one new classroom for After School Students to the Merrimack Y, increasing the number of children we serve by 109. The classrooms were full the day they opened and there is a waiting list.

Last year, 32,500 people got active with the YMCA of Greater Nashua. Serving all regardless of their ability to pay is the mission of the YMCA and last year the Y provided $748,829 in scholarships for more than 3,500 children and families.

To contribute, please call 598-1533 or go to www.nmymca.org.

– Submitted by YMCA of Greater Nashua