Fowler Family YMCA reopens and relaunches playground campaign

As the Fowler Family YMCA in Peachtree Corners re-opens their doors, the Y also restarts important fundraising campaigns that were placed on-hold during the Coronavirus crisis.  Fowler Family YMCA had announced in the fall of 2019 they were honoring the legacy of John Manning, one of the city’s most dedicated citizens, through the creation of a new state-of-the-art playground.

The Manning Playground Fundraising campaign reached 75% of their goal by May 2020 securing $150,000 in donations.  While the campaign was halted for a short time during the pandemic, the metro Atlanta YMCA continued to power on working through all of the Y branches to provide food to those in need, childcare services for frontline workers and a senior citizen outreach program for seniors.   

Over the past month, the Y has prepared its facility and staff through new training procedures, removal of equipment and new sanitation policies to safely re-open to the citizens of and around Peachtree Corners.  And while the Manning playground campaign paused meetings and large fundraising efforts, strategic planning and leadership calls continued.

“We are excited to safely welcome back our members and the children into our daycare programs,” said Mark Thornell, Executive Director, Fowler Family YMCA.  “I am proud of the work the YMCA has been doing during the Coronavirus pandemic and will continue to do for our communities.  The Manning playground is something for us all to look forward to as we are on schedule to break ground in the fall.”

The new Manning Playground at the Fowler Family YMCA will incorporate educational and creative-based play structures for all ages.  Landscaping in and around the playground will provide a new park-like setting for families to enjoy.

With only $50,000 left to go to reach the goal, the YMCA would like to ask for the community’s help to close the gap.  Manning’s 12-year-old granddaughter, Caroline, is helping to answer the call. 

Caroline is on her third year of running a children’s summer acting camp in her neighborhood.  This summer, she will donate her profits to the Manning Playground Campaign.  She hopes to have a brick at the playground with “Camp Caroline 2020” on it.  Caroline was featured in the YMCA Playground campaign video to help promote the Manning playground.

“We are blessed with an amazing playground committee who has worked so hard to secure donations to make this dream come true,” said Sarah Manning Locke, playground committee co-chair and Manning’s daughter.  “We are so close to our goal and are having to get creative to see everything to completion due to the Coronavirus uncertainty.  I love that Caroline is on board to pitch in with her Camp Caroline donation.”

The Fowler Family YMCA is hoping others will get creative and pitch in too so the Y can serve children and help them to learn and grow in an environment they may not have access to otherwise. Donations to the playground accepted at ymcaofmetroatlanta.givingfuel.com/john-manning