Kirsten McAlpin, right, volunteers at this year’s Y Christmas. Y Christmas is one of the events Tiftarea YMCA uses to help children and families.

TIFTON — The Tiftarea YMCA is in the middle of its Annual Campaign, fundraising for the programs it provides year-round.

“All our annual campaign funds go back to outreach and mission programs locally,” said Tiftarea YMCA CEO Darian Peavy. “Everything stays locally. That’s the key component; it goes right back into our own community.

“The goal is to reach $60,000 and we’re still working on getting there.”

In 2018. the Tiftarea YMCA offered $58,000 in scholarships and financial assistance.

“We try not to turn anybody away no matter the income, so we have a financial assistance package for anyone who wants to become a member,” said Peavy.

In the last year, the Y has funded $32,000 in scholarships for kids who want to get involved in Y sports and summer camp but need financial assistance. Those scholarships are funded by donations.

Donations also helped the Y launch its Learn to Swim program, which taught 192 2nd grade students how to swim.

Peavy is hoping to expand it to multiple schools.

“Even our year-round feeding program,” Peavy added. “We get a grant, but we exceed our funds for the grant. When you feed 500 kids every single day during the summer and you have three after school programs…that adds up.”

Tiftarea YMCA partners with the Tift County Board of Eduction for the summer feeding program. Second Harvest donates food for the after school program.

The after school program averages 60-65 kids a day, Peavy estimates, with 125 individual kids coming through last year.

Donations to Tiftarea YMCA are tax-deductible.

Donations can be made through their website (www.tiftareaymca.org), checks can be mailed in and donations can be made by visiting the Y at 1657 S. Carpenter Road.

More information: 229-391-9622.