WESTFIELD – This year, the Westfield YMCA held its first indoorcycle-a-thon. The event was the “Cycle for a Cause” Partners with Youth fundraiser which took place on Saturday, November 2, 2013. Through the efforts of local sponsors; Westfield G &E, Baystate Rehabilitation Care, Advance Manufacturing, Firtion Adams Funeral Home, Chalmers &Kubeck, Atlas Chiropractic, Lisa Oleksak-Sullivan Realtor, Poly Metal Finishing, XZI Productions, Sunshine Dental Care, New England Fitness Distributors and the Westfield Police Department, and members and friends, $14,555 was raised at the event. During the cycle-a-thon, a challenge was made by an anonymous donor to increase the total amount raised to $16,000 by Nov. 5th and receive an additional $5,000.Through additional contributions from Y members, Westfield G & E, and United Bank, the Y was able to reach the goal and receive the additional bonus, bringing the total amount to $21,000. The monies raised for the Partners with Youth Campaign enable the YMCA to maintain its long standing policy of never turning away anyone due to the inability to pay. Through this fund, the Y is able to provide financial scholarships to children, families and adults, who without this assistance, would not be able to afford to participate in Y programs such as child care, camp, swimming and gymnastics lessons and teams, Preschool and membership.
The Cycle for a Cause event had over 60 participants and drew folks from Westfield and a number of neighboring towns. The teams enjoyed the camaraderie of one another as they participated in the four hour event. The Cycle instructors kept the pace challenging and the atmosphere fun and exciting.
The YMCA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and members for their extraordinary generosity which helped make this first time fundraiser such an outstanding success.
