The YMCA recently kicked off its annual fund campaign. The Wildwood Valley Inn and Conference Center hosted 200 attendees at the event for the 2010 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.
“We are very pleased that Scott Rix accepted the challenge of being our campaign chairman this year,” said Randy Brown, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. “As a long-time Y volunteer, Scott has a firm understanding of the YMCA mission and clear vision of our future and what we can accomplish for our community.
As a father, he also has firsthand knowledge of the ways the Y benefits young people.”
Scott Rix is the chief operating officer and chief marketing and sales officer with The Airnet Group, a national leader in data and communication services. He is married to Cindy Rix, and they are the parents of four children.
“The programs and services funded by the Strong Kids Campaign benefit children and families in so many ways,” said Mr. Rix. He noted that the money raised benefits Y-CAP, a mentoring program for at-risk youth and other youth programs such as Youth Leadership Chattanooga, Earth Service Corps, Leaders Club and Youth Trust.
Despite its name, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign also funds scholarships for senior and family memberships. Mr. Rix noted that the YMCA has over 30 programs for children and teens, but many adults also benefit from YMCA programs.
“No one is turned away from a YMCA program or YMCA membership because of an inability to pay,” stressed Mr. Brown. “Last year, 19,639 participants received over $1.6 million in direct scholarships and program subsidies.” The goal of the Strong Kids Campaign this year is $610,000, although they were challenged by Mr. Rix to make $1 million a stretch goal for the campaign.