BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) —The YMCA of South Palm Beach County has maintained its commitment to local families through swimming lessons and academic support and health services for more than five decades.
The Peter Blum Family YMCA in Boca Raton serves as the main location for the 2025 Annual Giving Campaign which has started its fundraising efforts. The initiative works to collect $1,204,000 which will support educational scholarships and youth development programs and community outreach activities to ensure financial difficulties do not prevent anyone from accessing services.
The Y states that membership fees support only fundamental operational costs which include equipment maintenance and staffing expenses and utility bills. The Annual Giving Campaign provides financial support for vital assistance programs and life-enhancing activities which go beyond the physical gym space.
This year’s campaign is chaired by Nicole Grimes, a longtime community resident and Board of Trustees member.
Grimes explained that the Y serves as a community-based asset which extends beyond its role as a fitness center. I focus my giving on unlocking opportunities for kids and families to succeed.”
Every donation no matter how small creates an immediate effect:
- $50 gives a teen one month of Y membership — a place to belong, grow, and lead.
- $150 funds one-on-one adaptive swim lessons for a child with special needs.
- The $250 donation supports after-school care activities which offer students positive mentorship and academic help for one month.
- $500 provides 24 sessions of LiveSTRONG programming for a cancer survivor rebuilding their strength.
- $1,200 supports 12 youth through a full sports season.
- The $2,500 donation enables one child to attend summer camp.
- The $5,000 donation supports a group swim program which teaches water safety and builds confidence for 50 children.
The Boca Raton Y’s impact reaches far beyond its walls. The YMCA of South Palm Beach County served 41,000 people throughout 2024 while providing more than $1 million in financial assistance to support youth and their families. The after-school programs reached 10,000 children while 9,700 students received swim and water safety education.
The Peter Blum Family YMCA adaptive aquatics program taught 8-year-old Samuel Marinho to swim. Samuel went on to compete — and win medals — at the Special Olympics state championships. His mother Patricia states that the Y has brought a complete transformation to his life.
The community provides us with compassion and understanding from its members.
“Here, we have a community where people have compassion and understand us,” she said. “Here, they see Samuel’s heart. Here, I can relax.”
The YMCA acknowledges its donors and partners and sponsors who enable them to achieve their success stories.
“Your generosity helps us do so much more,” the campaign message reads. “Together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the Y and the opportunities it provides.”
Community members can donate or learn more about the Annual Giving Campaign at YMCASPBC.org/AGC
