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Published on 10/13/1999 All articles from this issue

Money trickling in for YMCA expansion project

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Kirsch donation provides big boost

Town Crier Staff Report

A recent $50,000 gift from the Kirsch Foundation has provided a needed shot in the arm for the El Camino YMCA's Phase II facilities expansion project.

The grant, announced Oct. 5, from Los Altos Hills residents Michele and Steven Kirsch, the founder and chairman of Infoseek, was encouraging for Y officials. The YMCA board had to postpone a fall groundbreaking for the project when members could not realize their fundraising goals quickly enough.

Even with the grant, the Mountain View facility that draws its 9,000 members from much of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills still needs at least $700,000 to reach its minimum $2.5 million goal for the project.

Plans include an additional 32,000 square feet for a new gymnasium, teen and youth centers, a wellness center and group exercise studio.

YMCA spokeswoman Laura Toller Gardner said supporters were hoping to have funds secured by early summer with a groundbreaking in the fall. The YMCA board has put off the groundbreaking indefinitely.

"We are not shy about making it absolutely clear, we must have the support of the community (for the project to go ahead)," Toller Gardner said.

In addition to the Kirsch grant, YMCA supporters have received $750,000 from the William Hewlett Foundation and $200,000 from the Bill and Gay Krause Family Foundation. The Krauses also are Los Altos Hills residents.

Toller Gardner said the YMCA's next fundraising effort will focus on wealthy, philanthropic individuals and foundations.

She said fundraising has been difficult in recent months, in part because of a perception that the YMCA is already well-off and well supported, and that people who use it are well-off, too.

"The perception is that this is not a demonstrated need," she said. "But we reach out to a very diverse area," including needy, low-income areas. "People don't see (Y users) as diverse."

She added, "The Y is not a health club - it's a community and social service organization that supports children and families."

The YMCA board is not willing to scale back the project, Toller Gardner said. "That's not an option," she said.

The Kirsch funds, however, have given the fundraising effort a needed shot in the arm, supporters said.

"I am delighted that Steven and Michele Kirsch have joined us to support this important capital project," said Barry Taylor, president and CEO of the YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula, which includes the El Camino YMCA.

"There is a dramatic, demonstrated need for greater youth and teen outreach, child care, health and fitness programs and services for the under-served within our population," Taylor said.

Toller Gardner said the Y, located on Grant Road next to El Camino Hospital, is in a good position for the project to proceed. The Mountain View City Council approved final plans for the expansion at its July 27 meeting.

The YMCA also has signed a 50-year lease with the hospital.