Zane Moore saved the best for last.
At the conclusion of his recent “Zane Walks for Bucks” two-day hike from Quakertown to Fairless Hills to raise awareness of Y’s growing list of programs that serve the community, Moore announced two building/renovation projects scheduled to begin in the next year.
“Our leadership is committed to ensuring the needed resources are in place to enable the Y to provide the very best in programs and facilities for all,” said Moore, president and CEO.
The Y’s “For a Better Us” $20 million campaign is already about 70 percent funded through early donors “and now we are now counting on the community to help us reach our goal,” he said.
In Doylestown, the renovation will involve an 11,000-square-foot expansion to increase the size of the fitness center, add a universal locker room, dedicated spin room and additional program space, as well as future programming space on a “roughed in” second-floor space.
In Fairless Hills, the renovation will be a total overhaul of the current facility with an entirely new look and feel. Plans call for re-configuring the space within the building to gain additional usable square footage, while at the same time decreasing the building footprint to create additional parking.
Recapturing this unused space will enable the Y to provide an expanded fitness center, universal locker room, additional program space, and a community gathering area, said Moore.
In addition to the building projects, donations to the “For a Better Us” campaign will support the Y’s annual campaign, raising funds for the YMCA financial assistance program as well as vital community programs, including THRIVE cancer wellness, Veterans Wellness and new Back to You designed to support individuals recovering from substance abuse.
Moore was joined on the walk by approximately 55 donors, board members and staff members for different legs of his nearly 50-mile journey on May 9 and 10, each demonstrating their support and encouraging donations to the Y’s campaign.
“Zane Walk for Bucks” began with a “carb-loading” rally at the Y’s Warminster branch on May 8, then officially kicked off with breakfast at the Upper Bucks branch in Richland Township. Moore told the 100 or so people in attendance they need to spread the word that the Y is more than a place to lift weights and swim.
“The Y is a necessity for the people who are using our services,” said Moore, noting the Y provides about $5.5 million a year in assistance to families.
Moore ticked off a handful of community services that are coming to Upper Bucks, including 12-week programs for cancer patients, veterans, seniors, teen-aged girls and people recovering from opioid addiction that provide access to a personal trainer, nutritionist and mind-body specialist.
“What we’re doing is offering a supportive environment and the opportunity to reclaim their life,” said Moore. “We’re knocking down all the barriers, so we make it free. The impact we’re seeing ... it truly transforms lives.”
Of course, providing services for free requires financial support from the community, he said.
“We need more philanthropic awareness for the Y as a charity,” he said. “There is not another organization in Bucks County that affects as many people as we do.”
