YMCA holds bash to celebrate 75 years

Paul Clinton

AIRPORT DISTRICT -- Nearly 400 people turned out to help the Burbank

YMCA celebrate 75 years of service to the city.

“We celebrated our history,” YMCA General Director George Saikali.

“It’s important to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going.”

Among the well wishers at Sunday night’s event were Mayor Stacey

Murphy, Vice Mayor Bill Wiggins, Councilman Bob Kramer and City Manager

Bud Ovrom.

Councilman David Laurell, who was not able to attend due to illness,

said the importance of the group’s role in the city can not be

overestimated.

“Our YMCA has been such an integral part of this community,” Laurell

said. “There is no other organization that reaches out like the Y does on

a regular basis.”

A thick program was handed out to attendees Sunday night chronicling

the history of the club. Board member J.P. O’Connor said it was important

to understand how the YMCA fits into a larger picture.

To give the evening that perspective, the nonprofit club showed a

video replaying newsworthy events of the 20th Century at home and abroad.

“Nonprofits work within the context of what happens in the world,”

O’Connor said.

The dinner served as a fund-raiser for the Burbank YMCA.

Saikali said the event raised approximately $50,000. The money will be

donated to the club’s endowment fund, which subsidizes families and

children who have difficulty paying membership fees.

Founded in a one-room building in 1924, the YMCA has grown to serve

28,000 people per year in Burbank.