By Hayley Wildes
The partnership between Casey Basketball and the YMCA Open Doors program may be a new one, but the positive effects are already being felt within the City of Casey.
With Casey Basketball getting behind YMCA Open Doors – an initiative that provides full or subsidised access to YMCA programs and services to people in need – the program will be able to provide even more programs to those in the local community that need them most.
“Our Association embraces worthy causes, and are proud to support the YMCA Open Doors Program,” Casey Basketball General Manager Tammy Bower said.
“We see firsthand the benefits this program has made in the local community, and look forward to future opportunities to work together.”
Casey Basketball’s connection to the City of Casey is immense and with this new partnership, that connection becomes even stronger.
YMCA Open Doors aims to help as many people as possible and the $992 raised by Casey Basketball – through hosting multiple sausage sizzles, a raffle and a Big V round – will help four people undertake swimming lessons for nine months.
“Within the Casey municipality, we have a lot of kids that don’t have much experience with water,” YMCA Community Engagement Coordinator Tori Norris said.
“Because of this, one of our big focuses is helping kids gain basic water safety training and making sure that, if the situation occurred, they could get themselves out of danger.”
Norris has seen the positive effect the program has on those involved.
“It’s unbelievable and this might be something that some of us take for granted, but they’ve got something to go to school and talk about,” she said.
“It gives them the ability to be more inclusive with other kids.
“The power of sport blows me away each and every day, simply because there is nothing that can teach fellowship and teamwork like sport.”
It’s simple; the more money raised, the more people YMCA Open Doors can help.
To donate directly to the Casey YMCA Open Doors program, head to victoria.ymca.org.au and click donate at the top of the page. Follow the prompts and be sure to select one of Casey’s local centres to ensure the funds help those in our local community.
