Omega Protein pledges $50,000 for new YMCA
When executives at Omega Protein in Reedville heard about the Northumberland Family YMCA’s plans for a new state of the art facility in Heathsville, they didn’t hesitate.
The Houston-based company pledged $50,000 to the YMCA’s current $3.6 million Capital Campaign.
Both Jane Crowther, Senior Director, Refined Oils, at the Reedville plant and John Held, Executive Vice-president at Omega’s corporate headquarters in Houston, see the new YMCA in Northumberland as a huge bonus to a local business such as Omega Protein.
"For our employees, the YMCA’s programs for kids, such as summer
programs, after school care and day care, are very important to them as
parents,” Crowther said. “It gives employees a greater peace
of mind while they are at work when they know their children have access
to this kind of care in this kind of facility.”
“We’re pleased to be able to participate in this worthwhile project,” Held said. “For us, this is one of the largest contributions Omega has made to a local community organization. When we heard about the YMCA’s plans, it sounded like a wonderful project and we wanted to be a part of it.”
Held said the company, which produces Omega-3 capsules and other products from menhaden, is in the business of promoting health, and support of the YMCA is in line with that mission.
“The support of the local business community is vital to the success of this effort, and it is gratifying that our area’s largest employer recognizes the economic development benefits this facility brings to our county,” said Betty Hall, Chairman of the Northumberland Family YMCA Capital Campaign Committee. “I greatly appreciate Omega Protein showing this kind of leadership.”
The Omega contribution puts the Northumberland Family YMCA a step closer to its fundraising goal, which will enable it to begin renovating the current Northumberland High School gym, once the school moves to its new location in 2009.
The YMCA will renovate the 22-thousand square foot building and surrounding 16 acres into a full service facility that includes a wellness center, ample space for meetings and classes, and a swimming pool.
“The idea that the largest business in our community supports this speaks volumes about how important this facility will be for the business community,” said M.J. Anderson, Associate Executive Director of the Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA.
Hall said she looks forward to talking with anyone willing to help the Northumberland Family YMCA reach its Capital Campaign goal. She can be reached at her office at 804-453-3701.
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