Wilmington, DE – The YMCA of Delaware needs your help by voting for them to receive a $25,000 grant from State Farm® to help improve their community. Starting August 14 at 12:00 am ET, U.S. residents, who are 18 and older with a valid email address, can vote for their favorite cause at www.neighborhoodassist.com.
The YMCA has until Friday, August 23 at 11:59pm ET to rally votes and anyone voting is allowed up to 10 votes per day. On September 25, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced at www.neighborhoodassist.com and a $25,000 grant will be awarded to each of the affiliated nonprofits.
Funds from the grant would allow the YMCA of Delaware to provide life-saving swim lessons to children with autism. Currently operating in three locations, there is a waitlist of children with autism who want to learn how to swim at the YMCA. The $25,000 in support will allow the YMCA of Delaware to: 1. Train swim instructors throughout the state in the skills necessary to teach children on all levels of the autism spectrum disorder; 2. Dedicate time for swim instructors to provide one-on-one and small group instruction; 3. Dedicate quiet time in the pool for instruction with minimal distractions; 4. Work with Autism Delaware to support families by ensuring the time and location of swim instruction meets their needs.
“We are incredibly excited to be chosen as a finalist for the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant,” says Deborah Bagatta-Bowles, YMCA of Delaware President and CEO. “At the Y, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim. We save lives every day with our drowning prevention initiatives, teaching important water safety skills to children and adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The impact of this grant will allow us to expand our efforts and make an impact that will last a lifetime.”
State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowd source philanthropic initiative that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. The State Farm Review Committee selected the top 200 finalists from 2,000 submissions.
About the YMCA of Delaware
The YMCA of Delaware is Delaware’s largest non-profit organization committed to strengthening local citizens through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With eight branches statewide and an overnight camp and conference center in Worton, Maryland, the Y has developed long-standing relationships and a physical presence in Delaware so it can deliver lasting personal and social change. We are committed to serving everyone – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of every child and teen, improve Delaware’s health and wellbeing and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. www.ymcade.org.