The public is invited to purchase tickets to the fundraising event to support the YMCA of Metro North Scholarship Fund.

The YMCA of Metro North is hosting its annual Where in the World celebration at the Torigian Family YMCA in Peabody on Thursday, September 21, from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The event is the YMCA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The event has great food and entertainment with live and silent auctions, and a Grand Raffle Prize is a trip for two for dinner anywhere in the world (up to $10,000). All proceeds from the event will benefit the YMCA of Metro North Scholarship Fund.

“In the past two years, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of requests we receive for financial assistance for kids to attend our Y Academy, Summer Camps, Youth Programs, and our Y Level Membership Program,” says Kathleen Walsh, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metro North. “This fundraiser is our biggest of the year, and it helps us to ensure that everyone can belong at the Y regardless of their financial situation.”

The YMCA of Metro North Association distributes more than $1.6 million in financial assistance to make its memberships, programs, and services accessible to children and families throughout the region. The amount is a 30% increase over the amount of scholarships and financial aid the Association has provided in the past.

“The YMCA is a great place for children to grow up,” says Dave Gravel, President and CEO of GraVoc Associates and YMCA of Metro North Board member. “This year, the need is greater than ever to provide financial assistance so every child can take full advantage of all of the services that the YMCA offers. I want every family to know that they can always come to the YMCA for whatever they need to help their children learn and grow, and this fundraiser is a big part of making that happen.”

The YMCA of Metro North aims to raise $250,000 at the event this year.

The YMCA of Metro North is inviting the public to join the event and bid on items, purchase raffle tickets, and make donations to the YMCA’s Scholarship Fund that supports its Y Academy Early Learning and Out-of-School Time programs, summer camps, youth and teen drop-in centers, food and nutrition services, aquatics safety classes, and youth sports programs.

“When you join our fundraiser, you are supporting our program that go directly to helping local families get access to the YMCA programs they need,” says Kathleen Walsh. “All of the proceeds from the event go right back to helping our neighbors.”

KISS 108’s Billy Costa will serve as special guest emcee. The event also features a silent auction and live auction for attendees to bid on items, including A Culinary Escape to Tuscany, Golf Package to Sonoma, Calif., A Luxury Historic Tour of Charleston, S.C., and A Backyard Party for 20 with Celebrity Chef Paul Wahlberg. The silent auction offers luxury gift baskets, exclusive local experiences, and other gifts and unique items.

The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, September 20. Tickets are $100 per person, $150 for two people, and $750 for a table for 10. Event tickets include a cocktail party, Italian-inspired fare, and a chance to bid on many packages at the annual auction. You’ll also receive one free Grand Prize Raffle chance for every $100 in event tickets you purchase. Our signature Grand Prize Raffle is a trip for two anywhere in the world for dinner. Don’t miss this fun-filled event to support a great cause!

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to https://www.ymcametronorth.org/annual-celebration/