ORLANDO, Fla. (November 7, 2019) – The YMCA of Central Florida announces today the name of what will become its newest location. The Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCA will serve residents in the College Park area and surrounding communities as the Y’s 23rd location and will be a cornerstone of The Packing District, a transformational redevelopment coming to life through Dr. Phillips Charities.
“The legacy of generosity and support from the Williams Family Foundation and Wayne Densch Charities is critical to our mission to improve lives of all in Central Florida,” says Dan Wilcox, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida. “The Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCA will be a welcoming place where neighbors can connect, families and kids can thrive, and our community can be strengthened for generations to come.”
The YMCA Family Center in The Packing District was initiated through a gift of $8.9 million and the land from Dr. Phillips Charities. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2020 with completion in 2021. Once complete, the new Family Center will offer state-of-the art wellness equipment and specialized programs to promote healthy living for every age and ability.
“We are pleased to have the Williams family join in their support of the new Y within The Packing District,” says Ken Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities. “We applaud all who share the same vision and commitment to enrich our community and respond to the needs of the many children and families who call Central Florida home.”
The Williams Family Foundation and Wayne Densch Charities have been community champions of the YMCA of Central Florida for over three decades with gifts totaling over $6.6 million in support of multiple programs and family centers, including the Wayne Densch YMCA Family Center in Pine Hills and the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center in Lake Mary.
“The YMCA was a big part of my life growing up as a kid in North Carolina – a special place where I made many fond memories,” says Leonard Williams, Sr. “I believe in the values of the Y and in their ability to make a difference in so many communities.”
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the YMCA relies on support from neighbors and community partners to achieve its mission and grow to serve more neighborhoods. The latest gift of $3 million from the Williams Family Foundation and Wayne Densch Charities, in addition to Dr. Phillips Charities’ lead gift of $8.9 million plus the land, has provided a head start for the development of the new Y. However, to achieve its full vision, this Family Center needs additional community donations and support. For more information on supporting the Y, contact Claire Fournier, vice president of financial development for the YMCA of Central Florida, at [email protected].
About the YMCA of Central Florida
The YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits, serving more than 400,000 Central Floridians per year through a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. With a Christian-based mission to improve lives and communities, it operates 22 YMCA locations across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Marion counties. This mission is expanded beyond the four walls of the Y through community-based programs to combat chronic disease; boost children’s after-school safety and learning; and strengthen neighborhoods. To learn more, visit the YMCA of Central Florida at www.ymcacf.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram.