Members of the Meadowbrook Middle School Band perform in the gym during the Wayne Densch YMCA Youth Scholarship Campaign on Thursday, March 21.

Meadowbrook Middle School Band members performing Bethune-Cookman University’s “Wildcats” song during the recent fundraising pep rally.

There are few places a whole family can go for recreation, exercise and plain ol’ fun. The Wayne Densch YMCA (WDY) in Pine Hills is one of those places. While the WDY serves about a thousand individuals every year, the organization needs help offering activities, especially to young people and their families who may not be able to pay for memberships, programs and activities. And that is about 85 percent of the people who visit the WDY, according to board members. The WDY, a part of the Central Florida YMCA, does not turn anyone away due to any inability to pay. Staff and board members said during a recent kickoff fundraising campaign pep rally that any amount a person gives will help in this effort. They want to expand their programming to include more activities for girls, like basketball and ballet. “Make a sacrifice for the kids, for the community,” said board co-chair Shirley Bias. The campaign goal is $67,000 which will help 300 families. To help in the effort, stop by or call the WDY. The address is: 870 North Hastings Street, Orlando, FL 32808. Phone: (407) 299-4350.

Sisters Garbielle, Grace and Angelica dance during the WDY Youth Scholarship Campaign “pep rally”