Building Stronger Communities Together: Orillia YMCA and Freedom 55 Financial

Orillia, December 1, 2009 – With the support of the people who make up Freedom 55 Financial, the Orillia 1 in 5 Campaign is topping its $2 million fundraising target and the dream of a renovated and expanded Orillia YMCA is becoming a reality.

“Being a leader in the financial services industry presents opportunities to support projects that benefit the communities where we live and work,” says Ron Campeau, Regional Director, Freedom 55 Financial. “Our staff and financial security advisors are active as YMCA members, as campaign canvassers, and as individual donors who recognize that the Orillia YMCA renovation and expansion project is important for the health and well-being of children, families and this community.”

Supporting the local efforts to complete the project is a generous $94,000 financial pledge from the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life donate a minimum of 1% of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year. Freedom 55 Financial is the financial security planning division of London Life.

When the $4 million project is complete, the Orillia YMCA will feature 10,000 sq. ft. of newly constructed and renovated space, a fitness facility built as an add-on to the second floor, upgrades to locker rooms and showers, a new special needs/family change room, new program and social space, and the recovery of the full gymnasium that had been repurposed for other uses.

“We truly appreciate this volunteer commitment and financial generosity,” Doug Christie, Chairman of the Orillia 1 in 5 Campaign said. “Business leaders are seeing the value in helping Orillia YMCA continue to meet the needs of the community, and with gifts like this one, we are meeting our goal earlier than we planned.”

It took 2 years for the Orillia 1 in 5 Campaign to meet its goal of $2 million but with the success of the campaign, organizers are considering additional features to enhance the 25-year-old Orillia YMCA facility.

“The generosity of corporate supporters has helped make our campaign tremendously successful, allowing our expansion and renewal project to be completed as we envisioned,” Tom Coon, CEO of the Simcoe/Muskoka YMCA said. “Additional monies beyond our $2 million goal will help ensure any unplanned cost increases can be met and that some project enhancements not in the original plans might now be considered.”