GREATER WYOMING VALLEY AREA YMCA To Host Kentucky Derby Gala in Support of Early Childhood Education Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lindsay Landis
Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA
570-970-5048
GREATER WYOMING VALLEY AREA YMCA To Host Kentucky Derby Gala in Support of Early Childhood Education Programs
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County- On Saturday May 4th, The Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA will host its 5th Annual Kentucky Derby Gala at the Westmoreland Club with the support of the event’s presenting sponsor, Discover NEPA. The proceeds from this event support families in the YMCA’s Early Learning Center Programs.
Jim Thomas, CEO of Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, stated, “We are grateful for everyone who contributes to the Kentucky Derby, thanks to your past support our Y has expanded to include 5 child care locations, where we served over 900 children and youth last year. We could not continue to provide working families with quality programs without this community support.”
Guests will be welcomed to the event by a full-sized race horse, then at 5:00pm themed cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres will be served in the Club while Kenny McGraw with The Brass & Ivory Orchestra plays in the background. After cocktail hour, guests will proceed to the Club Tent to enjoy the décor with beautiful displays of roses on every table. A thrilling, live showing of the 150th Kentucky Derby will be shared by all, followed by dinner and custom desserts.
After Dinner, a hat contest will be held for the best hats and attire featuring local guest judge, Emily Novakowski, in the following categories:
- “Dapper Dan”- Best gents’ hat & ensemble
- “Too Hot to Trot”- Best ladies store bought hat
- “Hat-a-tude”- Best ladies handmade/upcycled hat
Dancing continues throughout the night, along with wagers on pre-recorded horse races with a live caller set to return once again this year. A grand prize raffle sponsored by Sundance Vacations is raffled off as well to complete the evening.
Co-Chairs Lissa Bryan-Smith and Connie Scott stated, “This is a festive evening celebrating the support of our local YMCA by so many community members and businesses. Every dollar raised continues to help YMCA children’s programs grow which makes a difference for our YMCA families in need.”
YMCA supporters are able to participate in the event in many ways; by attending the dinner, purchasing raffle tickets, bidding in the online silent auction, or wagering on the pre-recorded
horse races. The event is expected to bring in $100,000 to support child care programs both now, and in the future through a scholarship endowment fund.
Jennifer Brennan, Vice President of YMCA Child Care, noted “This is a huge team effort, with months of planning. We have a wonderful committee and staff who support this event every year and it is making a big impact in Luzerne County.”
For more information about early childhood education programs at the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, check out the website wvymca.org
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About the Y
About the Y: Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the Greater Wyoming Valley community for over 160
years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across Northeastern PA
Last year, Jennifer Brennan, Alexandra Dewey, and Katelyn Clewell were greeted by Carl the Pony at the 2023 Kentucky Derby event.