For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The Marshfield Area YMCA kicked off its annual campaign this week to ensure that everyone in Marshfield and the surrounding areas has access to vital community programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Marshfield Area YMCA works every day to support the people and neighborhoods that need it most by addressing community issues, such as high rates of obesity, chronic diseases, and preventive health.

“The Marshfield area faces new challenges that create a greater need than ever for the work we do every day,” said Marshfield Area YMCA Marketing & Development Director Rochelle Hill. “People of all ages and backgrounds are struggling to reach their full potential. More and more children face seemingly insurmountable learning gaps. Families find it difficult to spend quality time together. Playing outside has become a rarity. Face time happens through a phone. And instead of seeing the income gap shrink, it seems all we do is watch it grow. But where society falls short, the Y and generous donors step in. Together we can make a difference in the lives of thousands of people and a huge impact in each individual we serve.”

This year the Marshfield Area YMCA hopes to raise over $130,000 to address the issues in the community. Led by campaign co-chairs Mike and Cheri Trulen, funds raised will support youth, adults, and families who could not otherwise afford a YMCA membership or program. All financial gifts to the Marshfield Area YMCA stay in the community and have a direct impact on local residents.

Last year charitable gifts from YMCA donors made it possible for 1,914 children and teens to participate in programs such as after school care, swim lessons, summer day camp, and youth sports and for over 1,800 families to afford their Y memberships and programs to reconnect and grow together.

Mike and Cheri Trulen understand the importance of contributing to the strength of the community and continually seeking to help those less fortunate. They know that together we can make a difference in each individual the YMCA serves.

As co-chairs for the 2015 annual campaign and devoted supporters and members of the Y, this dynamic husband and wife team brings the passion and determination needed to help thousands of youth, adults and families live healthier and happier lives.

“With the rising costs of healthcare, we see the need for education in health and wellness but also understand that for many families it can be a financial challenge,” said Mike.

Cheri added, “We have seen first-hand the struggles many parents have with finding quality child care, whether it be for after school or summer breaks, and feel that if these children are a part of a healthy learning environment, they can continue to grow personally and become productive, positive, healthy individuals. We live in a very philanthropic community and have seen and experienced the generosity of those around us and want to pay it forward by helping to raise the charitable funds needed to address these concerns.”

The Trulens are encouraged by seeing senior adults stay active at the Y, prolonging their health for a better quality of life. “They can be great role models for our youth and young adults, so it goes without saying that it gives us great pleasure in knowing that we can assist in generating contributions for them to financially afford a safe place to come and exercise their bodies and minds,” said Mike and Cheri.

To learn more about supporting the Y’s cause, please contact Rochelle Hill at 715-387-4900 or via email at rhill@mfldymca.org, or visit mfldymca.org.