West Wareham Cumby's kicks off fundraiser for Gleason Y

Jun 28, 2012

Have a coffee or tea, a fountain soda, or a frozen Chill Zone drink at the West Wareham Cumberland Farms during the month of July and you'll be quenching your thirst and helping the Gleason Family YMCA.

As part of a fundraising campaign taking place at all of the company's newly-remodeled locations, the West Wareham Cumby's will donate 20 cents from every purchase of a self-service beverage to the Y.

"This is the kick-off," said Richard Boyle, regional sales manager for Cumberland Farms, as employees passed out free samples of pizza, hot dogs, and other goodies to mark the celebration on Thursday. "And 30 days later ... [the Y] will have a nice check!"

The store got to pick its nonprofit partner for the fundraiser. The Gleason Family YMCA was chosen because employees figured a lot of people would benefit.

"The Y has 8,200 members," said Boyle, "so they can be served by this."

The Gleason Family YMCA will use the money raised for scholarships for members and families who would not be able to pay for the Y on their own.

"The gap between what we give out and what we raise is tremendous," said Gleason Family YMCA Executive Director Laura Prisco.

No one is turned away for the inability to pay. Last year, the Gleason Y gave out $280,000 in aid, but took in only $85,000 for scholarships, Prisco explained. The difference had to be made up out of the nonprofit's operating budget.

Jo-Ann Watson, marketing and development director for the Gleason Y, said the Y found out just a few weeks ago that Cumby's would be lending a hand.

"We had no idea," she said, adding: "Thank you to Cumberland Farms for choosing us!"