YMCA Dinner Honors Volunteers’ Work

In a show of thanks to the dozens of volunteers who annually assist the Mid Valley Family YMCA, the Van Nuys organization will host a dinner in their honor on Wednesday.

The event kicks off the Y’s annual fund-raising drive, a four-week effort that organizers hope will yield $170,000 in donations.

“This is how we stay open,” said staff member Karen O’Brien, explaining that donations are used to fund camp programs for underprivileged children and senior citizen activities.

The theme of this year’s drive is “Keeping Our Promise,” which recognizes the pledge that the Y has made to serve Valley residents, she said.

“By hitting our goal, we’re keeping that promise,” O’Brien said.

Wednesday’s dinner will feature KFWB-AM (980) news anchor Dan Avey as master of ceremonies. Also set to speak is Nancy Schmidt, vice president of American Pacific State Bank in Sherman Oaks.

O’Brien said that although staff members expected donations to drop after the Northridge earthquake two years ago, they have in fact remained steady, which she attributes to the fond memories many people have of the YMCA.

“A lot of people remember when they were children. They remember going to the Y as a youngster and learning to swim,” she said.

The drive will conclude with a second dinner on April 3. Both events will take place at the Y at 6901 Lennox Ave., Van Nuys.

For more information or to make a donation, call (818) 989-3800.