IRON MOUNTAIN’S MARY NEGRO, left, shares an inspirational story of how she reclaimed her health and wellness with the help of the YMCA and its personal training staff at the Northern Lights YMCA Dickinson Center annual campaign kickoff event Thursday evening. Holding the microphone is YMCA Center Director Jonathan Ringel.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Northern Lights YMCA Dickinson Center kicked off its 2020 annual campaign Thursday evening at Pine Grove Country Club with a goal of raising $73,000.

The YMCA annual campaign raises money so all in the Dickinson County and surrounding communities can have access to YMCA membership, programs and resources that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Nearly 35 volunteers will be working in the community for the next couple of months to achieve the $73,000 target. Annually, the YMCA receives nearly 400 donations toward its campaign.

Funds raised through the annual campaign directly support the Dickinson Center in areas such as swim lessons, summer day camp, senior wellness programming, homelessness initiatives, scholarship membership and other program support.

“For nearly 10 years now, our YMCA has been able to provide more and more for the community thanks to direct support from our annual campaign,” Dickinson Center Director Jonathan Ringel said. “Without such support, we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do for our friends and neighbors in need. We are so grateful for the generous donations we receive each year.”

In 2019, despite an active construction project on site at the Dickinson Center, the Y provided more than $60,000 to help more than 400 individuals, provided a safe place for 110 children and assisted about 200 seniors with wellness opportunities.

For more information on supporting the campaign, contact Ringel at 906-774-4076 or jringel@nlymca.com. Donations also can be made online at www.nlymca.com/dickinson and clicking the “donate” button.