Friday at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, members and nonmembers will dance their way toward their We Build People campaign goal.
From 6 to 8 p.m., the YMCA invites residents to a Zumba party to help raise money to finance program memberships for those in need of financial assistance.
“No one has ever been turned away from the Y for an inability to pay,” said Kathy Martyn, a coordinator for the event. She said the member drive helps them to achieve that goal.
A donation of $10 for entry is encouraged to help the YMCA raise $190,000 for the campaign. Whatever members can’t raise, the YMCA tries to donate so that people can access its programs.
“It could be everything from a single mom who wants to use our after-school program, but because of the financial burden that’s on her, needs some assistance,” said KevinCragwell, health enhancement director at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA.
Coordinators chose to hold a Zumba party because of the aerobic dance’s increasing popularity.
“This is probably not one of our biggest fundraisers, but we are hoping as we go along it will become a big part of that campaign,” said Dale Pratt-Wilson, a coordinator.
Last May, the first YMCA dance party had a turnout of 50 people. This year it is expected to see a turnout of 150 people.
“I’m really excited it’s at night, and it’s going to have a very big party atmosphere,” said Brandi Burroughs, a Zumba instructor at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA.
