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CONNECTIONS November 2007 Dear SWYC Supporter, As you open this newsletter you’ll see that this is our annual holiday fundraising appeal to you. As we wish you and your family well during the holiday season and throughout the year, we think that this might be the time for us to start bragging about all that we have accomplished this past year.
Perhaps we could boast about the 2,744 meals we served to 187 youth in our after-school program, The Hub, and nine drug- and violence-free events sponsored by our Youth Leadership Council and attended by hundreds of local teens. We could also brag about 30+ Langley Middle School students who are matched with volunteer tutors. And we’re proud that we’ve been able to reinstate our summer programming for middle school youth. Maybe it’s a good time to also mention that this is the premier organization on the South end that takes care of our youth, working to prevent alcohol and drug abuse and violence. It is no accident that with all of our work, the majority of Whidbey Island youths are drug and alcohol free. We could also rave about the quarterly newsletters which keep all of us informed on the most current information and trends about our services to South Whidbey youth. State and federal grants provide us with 65% of our funding. United Way of Island County grants an additional seven percent. Our annual fundraising events (Salmon Dinner in January, Benefit Art Show during Choochokam in July and golf tournament in the fall) also contribute seven percent, while local civic groups and foundations bestow six percent. That leaves 15% coming from your individual contributions. Basically what I am trying to impress upon you is that your financial support makes it possible for us to continue doing what we do for our youth. We rely on you. In fact, I am not shy to say - we need you! Your contribution of $20 will feed 30 youth for one day or pay for a musician to teach one hour at the Hub. A $100 donation will purchase meals for a whole week or cover the costs of an art instructor to teach weekly classes for three weeks. A gift of $200 would pay the postage for one of our quarterly newsletters or cover the cost of our monthly phone bill. When making your plans for your year-end tax-deductible donation, please consider supporting the South Whidbey Youth Connection and rest assured that your contribution will support programming for teens in our community. Here’s wishing you a happy and healthy holiday. Duane Gimbel Executive Director *A special thanks to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3418 for raising $4,100 during their benefit golf tournament on September 22nd. The efforts of tournament co-chairs Patti Santee and Bert Zimmer brought in $2,000 for the Island County Drug Action Team, $1,800 for SWYC’s Youth Leadership Council and $300 for the Central Whidbey Youth Coalition.
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