Dear Friends of the Y:   The Soundview Family YMCA receives hundreds of requests for financial assistance each year.  Thankfully, through the generosity of people like you, the YMCA has been able to satisfy these requests.  The Soundview Family YMCA provides over 3000 people living in our five town service area of Branford, Guilford, Madison, North Branford and East Haven with programs for children, teens, adults, senior citizens and families.  YMCA programs are designed to build character, improve one's health, promote self-esteem, and strengthen the bond among people, their families and the community.  To build strength, the Y must remain strong.   With your help, the YMCA can continue to build individual strengths.  Kids, families, communities can connect with one another and have a place where the feel they belong.  This has never been more important than it is today.  Promotoing a healthy lifestyle has become a critical need in every community.  And it's up to each of us to ensure that this community resource remains strong! If you would like to help your community and help meet our goal of never turning away a child or family with an inability to pay, help us raise funds to support the YMCA Financial Assistance Program. To learn how you can make a contribution or to volunteer during our annual campaign, call (203) 481-9622 or email doug.shaw@cccymca.org Contributions to the Soundview Family YMCA, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes. To make your gift by mail to the Soundview Family YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, make your check payable to Soundview Family YMCA and mail it to the following address:  Soundview Family YMCA 622 East Main Street Branford, CT  06405		To donate click here: Levels of Giving   A gift of $5,000 will allow 15 children to experience two weeks of Summer Day Camp learning life-long character skills.   A gift of $2,500 will allow 5 families to enjoy the Hospice pool for the summer where they would not be able to afford otherwise.   A gift of $1,000 will provide 13 children to learn how to be safe around the water through the YMCA learn to swim program.   A gift of $500 will help subsidize memberships allowing families to experience quality time together.   A gift of $250 will sponsor a teen in our Youth & Government program fostering leadership skills.   A gift of $100 will teach a child basic sport skills and working together as a team.   A gift of $50 will allow a child to develop a life-long skills and sportsmanship through youth programs.		The Soundview Family YMCA raised over $31,000 in 2007. Your dollars supported the following programs: Memberships Summer Day Camp Youth and Teen Programs Swim Lessons Active Older Adult Fitness   Our 2008 Strong Kids Campaign Goal is $45,000 Your help will go a long way toward helping us fulfill our promise to the community that no child will ever be turned away because of inability to pay. Strong Kids Campaign Chairman Chris Velardi Board of Directors Chairman John Sievers If you have any questions or would like to become a YMCA storyteller and help us even further, please contact our Executive Director Douglas Shaw at (203) 481-9622 or doug.shaw@cccymca.org If you make a contribution to the United Way, please consider designating your gift to the Soundview Family YMCA.  All you need to do is write Soundview Family YMCA, 622 East Main Street, Branford, CT  06405, 203-481-9622 at the bottom of your pledge form.