Christie's sTORY

Christie wants to be an Olympic Gold Medalist because of her experience with YMCA summer Camp.

Christie, a student at Logan Elementary School* was able to attend summer day camp thanks to a scholarship made possible by contributions to our Annual Support Campaign.

Before going to camp, Christie had never played sports and didn't consider herself an athlete. At her camp, she played softball for the first time. At first, she struggled with catching pop flies and throwing them back into the infield, but it wasn't long before she was infatuated with the sport. She even joined a team when she got back from summer camp.

"Now on my softball team, i am a center, left and right fielder and soon to be a pitcher" remarks Christie. "[S]oftball camp inspired me to want to be come a college softball player and Olympic gold medalist."

Summer camp is an activity that most people remember and cherish their entire lives. Making friends, developing social skills and learning to be part of a team is what makes summer camp so appealing. Every child should have the opportunity to participate in this coming-of-age experience. The unfortunate truth is that there are many children in the downtown San Diego community whose families cannot afford any type of summer camp.

Our greatest mission is to make the experience of summer camp a reality for kids whose families struggle to make ends meet. Your contribution can help sponsor these low-income children to attend our day and overnight summer camps.

Y Camps teach at-risk youth the core values of honesty, caring, responsibility and respect. Kids like Christie will gain more confidence and ambition. We hope that these positive results last into their adulthood. None of this would be possible, however, without your generous donation.

*Ninety-five percent of the students who attend Logan Elementary live below the poverty level.

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