The YMCA of the Triangle’s annual “We Build People Campaign” supports vital community programs throughout the region, including Camp High Hopes in Raleigh, a 7 week summer camp serving more than 400 children and teens from at-risk neighborhoods, and the ongoing development of the 32-acre Southeast Raleigh Beacon Site.
The Southeast Raleigh Beacon Site, one of 16 Purpose Built Communities in the United States, is anchored by a shared YMCA and Wake County Elementary School offering swim lessons for all students, and will soon add 120 units of affordable residential housing, as well as a retail center including a sustainable food source for all in the community. The YMCA has been a visionary catalyst for this unique and transformational development, collaborating with community partners Southeast Raleigh Promise, Wake County Public Schools, and DHIC to make the Beacon Site a reality.
Manning Fulton volunteers have provided significant support for the YMCA’s mission in the Triangle. Notably, Sandra Martin Clark (“Sandy”) chaired the Kraft Family YMCA’s “We Build People” Campaign for 13 years and served on the Kraft Family YMCA Board for six. Stephen Byrd (“Steve”) has just accepted a request by the Board of the Alexander Family YMCA to serve as its Board Chair for a third year, following 12 years of participation on its Board.
Over the last several years, under Steve and Sandy’s leadership, a number of Manning Fulton volunteers together raised nearly $500,000 for the YMCA of the Triangle’s “We Build People” Campaign as well as the YMCA’s capital campaign for the Beacon Site, helping the Y strengthen the very foundations of our richly diverse community as a positive force for good.
“During my 40-year membership at the Alexander Y, the incredible community impact of the YMCA mission to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all still inspires me,” says Steve. “It’s an amazing blessing for me to give back to the community and Y that I love, and I’m extremely grateful for the leadership opportunities I’ve had serving there. In particular, our collaborative work with other community partners at the Beacon Site brings growing community awareness and meaningful progress to address racial inequity in education, wellness and opportunity for vulnerable children, families, and our community.”
For Steve’s continuous partnership with the YMCA of the Triangle – including his Board service, Board chairmanship, and his two year chairmanship of the Alexander Family YMCA’s “We Build People Campaign” during which time its campaigns raised a collective $2.3 million – he was recently awarded the Alexander Family YMCA’s “Volunteer of the Year” award.
The YMCA of the Triangle is a mission driven, non-profit dedicated to strengthening our communities by building a health spirit, mind and body for all. As one of the largest YMCA Associations in the USA, the Triangle YMCA’s service area expands into 7 counties, with 20 branch facilities and 3 resident camps. “Over 230,000 Triangle residents are engaged in YMCA programs that range from volunteering, health and wellness, aquatics, summer day camp, after-school, resident camp, academic enrichment and support, sports, Y Guides, medically integrated evidence based program and much more,” according to Sr. Regional VP Jon Mills.
“We rely heavily on volunteer leadership to give guidance, advocacy, directly support programs and to fund raise. For decades, Manning Fulton staff have given of their treasures, talents and time to help expand the Y and increase our impact in the community. We are so grateful for our friends at Manning Fulton and will continue to work together to address our community’s needs.”
Manning Fulton is extraordinarily proud of its legacy of leadership and service. It is deep in our roots, and at the core of who we are as a Firm. From The Salvation Army and The Boy Scouts of America to Band Together and the North Carolina Museum of Natural History among countless other organizations, Manning Fulton’s attorneys have led the way as citizen-lawyers. As we approach a milestone anniversary of the Firm’s founding, we look forward to continuing to do so in our next 65 years.
