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NEWTON, MA – The West Suburban YMCA announced that its Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family has received a $500,000 donation from the New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. The gift will be used to support the YMCA’s $3.5 million fund raising effort to upgrade it facilities and expand its youth and family programming at its 276 Church Street location, and at its day and resident camps.
In recognition of the gift, the new synthetic track and artificial turf playing field currently under construction will carry the New Balance name and logo. Completion of the 250-meter, four lane track and 200 ft. by 135 ft. FieldTurf® playing field that it surrounds are expected by mid-June. The “New Balance Track & Field” at the West Suburban YMCA will also include a four lane straightaway for 100 meter sprints and areas for youth high jump, long jump, triple jump, hurdles and shot put.
YMCA officials anticipate that the new, upgraded facilities will triple the outdoor programming capability for its youth members. The West Suburban YMCA’s artificial turf field is only the third such facility to be built at one of 2,617 YMCA’s in the United States.
In announcing the gift, Anne Davis, New Balance Vice Chairman, said “The goals of our company are closely aligned with those of the West Suburban YMCA particularly in its efforts to keep kids and families active and healthy particularly as we all fight the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.”
“We feel it is our responsibility as a member of the community,” added Davis, “to support effective charitable organizations such as the West Suburban YMCA that perform humanitarian services for the betterment of our children and our society. We see this as an investment in our community that will pay dividends to children and families for many, many years.”
“This is a tremendous development for our YMCA, not just in the significant dollar commitment made by New Balance for our initiative, but in their recognition of our YMCA’s place in and responsibility to the community.” said Mark Mancuso, Chairman of the Legacy Campaign and the West Suburban YMCA’s Board of Directors.
“We are honored and extremely grateful that New Balance has agreed to partner with us in this important effort,” added Mancuso.
The Legacy Campaign for Youth & Family is a three-year, $3.5 million campaign aimed at enhancing and expanding the programs and services available at West Suburban YMCA. Project and programs supported through the campaign include the replacement the existing outdoor grass playing field with a new all-weather artificial turf playing field and synthetic track; expansion of programming space to the YMCA’s 96-year old building in Newton Corner including the creation of a new Youth Community Center, updates and modernization to the YMCA’s day and resident camps, and increasing contributions to its Annual Partners with Youth Campaign and endowment.
About the West Suburban YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA, located in Newton, Massachusetts, is a non-profit community service organization devoted to the education, physical health, mental well-being and moral development of children, families and communities. The Y strives to imbue all its programs with the core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Founded in 1877, the West Suburban YMCA has over 13,000 members and program participants, and serves the communities of Newton, Watertown, Belmont, Wellesley, and Weston. For more information, please visit http://www.ymcainnewton.org.
About New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, is a privately-held leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, training, basketball, tennis, cleated and kids. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and in 2006 reported worldwide sales of $1.55 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
Photo Caption: Artist rending of the New Balance Track & Field at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, MA. Construction is scheduled for completion by mid-June
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