OSWEGO – The Y is for everyone. Y programs, services and initiatives: enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, offer ways for families to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind and body, welcome and embrace newcomers and help foster a nationwide service ethic.

And that’s just the beginning.

$357,015 was recently raised in the Inner Family phase of the Oswego Y Commitment to Community Campaign. From left are: Deana Masuicca, executive director, and Bill Finck, president of Y Board of Directors and Inner Family Committee chair.

The Oswego YMCA has officially announced plans to conduct a major $3,000,000 capital campaign for a new addition and renovations to the YMCA pool located on West First Street in Oswego.

The announcement of the community campaign and plans for the building were revealed at a dinner for the YMCA’s “Inner Family.”

The “Inner Family” includes members of the YMCA’s board of directors, key staff, past presidents and the Campaign Steering Committee members.

The campaign is divided into four phases: Inner Family Gifts, Pacesetting Gifts, Major Gifts and Community Teams Gifts.

Tara and John FitzGibbons of FitzGibbons Agency are the general chairs of the campaign.

The goal of the Inner Family campaign was to raise $300,000 and to receive 100 percent support from the board, staff, past presidents and committee members.

Bill Finck, chair of the Board of Directors and Inner Family Committee, said he is extremely happy that the Oswego Y’s “Inner Family” has exceeded its goals as he announced that the Inner Family has pledged a total of $357,015.

He added, “It demonstrates to the people of Oswego and the surrounding area that the Inner Family of the YMCA supports this tremendous project; the largest campaign ever held in the history of the Oswego Y.”

Additional campaign leadership was also announced.

Maureen Sullivan and Paul Schneible will chair the Pacesetting Gift Phase.

Adam Gagas will chair the Major Gifts Committee and Maria Johnson and Cynde Ciesla will chair the Community Teams effort.

The Commitment to Community Campaign is scheduled to begin quietly over the next few weeks and conclude with the Community Phase which will begin in January and run through March of 2013.

The funds raised during the campaign will assist in building the addition that will connect the current YMCA facility and the YMCA Armory.

John FitzGibbons said plans also call for major renovations that include a new roof over the swimming pool and a dehumidification system along with temperature controls for the pool.

In addition, the YMCA Armory will be made accessible to all persons through the construction of an elevator.

A new modern Welcome Center, making the YMCA more secure and safe for children and families is in the plans along with a state-of-the-art Wellness area.

New and improved locker rooms will also be part of the renovations.

The Oswego YMCA has been serving the community for more than 157 years.

The YMCA building was constructed in 1903 and the swimming pool was added 60 years later and, in 2010, the YMCA obtained the Armory adjacent to the current facility.

Last year, more than 63,000 visits were made to the Oswego YMCA.

The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility.

That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors.

For more information about the Oswego Y, please call 315.343.1981 or visit: www.oswegoymca.org or stop in 249 W. First St., Oswego, NY 13126.