Friday — May 14, 2004

YMCA group ramping up its fund-raising efforts

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By GREG FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

The Wood River Community YMCA, the organization planning to build a recreation facility and community center north of downtown Ketchum, is aggressively increasing its efforts to raise $16 million by spring 2005.

The Ketchum-based organization announced last week that it has appointed two new capital-campaign managers, Benjamin Wood and Theresa Castellano Wood.

The Woods are the leaders of the Works of Grace Foundation, a Texas-based nonprofit organization that has played a pivotal role in helping the YMCA raise $4 million for its proposed Ketchum facility.

Cynthia Murphy, chairwoman of the Wood River Community YMCA board of directors, said the Woods’ experience in raising funds could be critical to the vitality of the project.

"Theresa and Benjamin have the capabilities to see this project to fruition and the know-how to ensure that the facility will be self-sustaining in the future," she said.

Benjamin Wood said he believes the $4 million raised by the YMCA and a 2003 commitment from the city of Ketchum to provide an additional $3 million for the project combines to establish a strong foundation for future fundraising efforts.

"This is an exciting time for the entire community," he said.

The YMCA is also preparing to welcome a new executive director to manage the organization. Teresa Beahen, a seasoned YMCA executive with 20 years experience in the organization, will commence work at the Wood River Community YMCA office on June 1.

The YMCA is planning to build an approximately 85,000-square-foot recreational complex on the city of Ketchum’s Park and Ride Lot, at the corner of Warm Springs and Saddle roads. The organization intends to break ground on the project by spring 2005.

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