Cards Host "Step Up For Youth" Luncheon
Cardinals VP Michael Bidwill
The Arizona Cardinals hosted the Glendale/Peoria YMCA Step Up For Youth Luncheon at the Cardinals Training Facility on Thursday, September 18. Cardinals Vice President and General Counsel Michael Bidwill is serving as the Honorary Chair for Step Up For Youth, a capital campaign effort to raise 1.16 million so that the Glendale/Peoria YMCA may double the size of its facilities while adding new programs and services. Bidwill invited both campaign donors and potential donors to view practice and enjoy lunch out on the team’s patio.
“Their facility right now is the smallest per square foot YMCA for the number of kids they have in the country,” explained Bidwill as to why this campaign is so important. “They’ve got some challenges in the Glendale/Peoria area with the highest high school drop out rate in the state and so they are trying to do good things with those facilities to counteract some of the challenges they have in the community. We are just happy to be part of it. The Cardinals and our family support many organizations and this is just another one we want to give a helping hand to.”
“The purpose of today’s event is just to thank the people that have already contributed to its success and to also educate others as to why it is critical to become involved with this,” he added.
The program featured keynote speakers Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, Campaign General Manager David Kimmerle, and Glendale/Peoria YMCA Executive Director Mike Cassidy.
In addition, Cardinals players Russell Davis, Marcel Shipp and Dexter Jackson stopped by following practice to also show their appreciation and sign a few autographs for the many men and women that are working to improve the Glendale/Peoria community through the services offered by the YMCA.
Opened since 1997, the Glendale/Peoria YMCA has provided comprehensive aquatic programs, after school programs, youth sports, health and wellness activities, camps, first offender programs, teen leadership activities and family and volunteer programs to people of all ages. It is a hub of positive activity – a place where people of all ages, denominations and socio-economic status come together to strengthen families, raise children in a safe and wholesome environment, congregate with neighbors and friends to accomplish personal goals.
In order to continue providing these programs and making such a positive community impact, the YMCA needs to expand to meet the ever-growing communities in the Northwest Valley. The latest US census report shows the communities in this region are posting a 67 percent increase in population over the last decade, which represents one of the fastest growth rates in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
“Seven years of unbelievable growth in the communities we serve has resulted in huge growth of our membership and increasing demand for YMCA programs and services,” said Cassidy. “Many people don’t realize that the Glendale/Peoria YMCA has the most utilization per square foot of any YMCA in the United States. The time to significantly expand our facilities and programs is now.”
The need to expand gave birth to the Step Up For Youth campaign which has outlined specific key areas for expansion and improvement including a new multi-purpose gymnasium, renovating the teen center, creating a new childcare area, and creating a warm water pool.
Dexter Jackson, Russell Davis, and Marcel Shipp Visit the Luncheon
You must be registered for see images
Cardinals VP Michael Bidwill
The Arizona Cardinals hosted the Glendale/Peoria YMCA Step Up For Youth Luncheon at the Cardinals Training Facility on Thursday, September 18. Cardinals Vice President and General Counsel Michael Bidwill is serving as the Honorary Chair for Step Up For Youth, a capital campaign effort to raise 1.16 million so that the Glendale/Peoria YMCA may double the size of its facilities while adding new programs and services. Bidwill invited both campaign donors and potential donors to view practice and enjoy lunch out on the team’s patio.
“Their facility right now is the smallest per square foot YMCA for the number of kids they have in the country,” explained Bidwill as to why this campaign is so important. “They’ve got some challenges in the Glendale/Peoria area with the highest high school drop out rate in the state and so they are trying to do good things with those facilities to counteract some of the challenges they have in the community. We are just happy to be part of it. The Cardinals and our family support many organizations and this is just another one we want to give a helping hand to.”
“The purpose of today’s event is just to thank the people that have already contributed to its success and to also educate others as to why it is critical to become involved with this,” he added.
The program featured keynote speakers Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, Campaign General Manager David Kimmerle, and Glendale/Peoria YMCA Executive Director Mike Cassidy.
In addition, Cardinals players Russell Davis, Marcel Shipp and Dexter Jackson stopped by following practice to also show their appreciation and sign a few autographs for the many men and women that are working to improve the Glendale/Peoria community through the services offered by the YMCA.
Opened since 1997, the Glendale/Peoria YMCA has provided comprehensive aquatic programs, after school programs, youth sports, health and wellness activities, camps, first offender programs, teen leadership activities and family and volunteer programs to people of all ages. It is a hub of positive activity – a place where people of all ages, denominations and socio-economic status come together to strengthen families, raise children in a safe and wholesome environment, congregate with neighbors and friends to accomplish personal goals.
In order to continue providing these programs and making such a positive community impact, the YMCA needs to expand to meet the ever-growing communities in the Northwest Valley. The latest US census report shows the communities in this region are posting a 67 percent increase in population over the last decade, which represents one of the fastest growth rates in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
“Seven years of unbelievable growth in the communities we serve has resulted in huge growth of our membership and increasing demand for YMCA programs and services,” said Cassidy. “Many people don’t realize that the Glendale/Peoria YMCA has the most utilization per square foot of any YMCA in the United States. The time to significantly expand our facilities and programs is now.”
The need to expand gave birth to the Step Up For Youth campaign which has outlined specific key areas for expansion and improvement including a new multi-purpose gymnasium, renovating the teen center, creating a new childcare area, and creating a warm water pool.
You must be registered for see images
Dexter Jackson, Russell Davis, and Marcel Shipp Visit the Luncheon
