The YMCA of Metro North held their annual fundraiser this past Saturday night, September 23rd at the Torigian Family YMCA in Peabody in support of youth development. This year, there was an international twist as they raffled off dinner for 2 anywhere in the world. The event, led by organizers David Gravel and Kathleen Walsh, raised a record setting $127,000. These funds will provide the YMCA of Metro North with the necessary resources they need to help ensure that every child and family in financial need has the ability to attend the YMCA.

“The event was a chance to showcase the Y’s work to those in attendance as well as to support our commitment of making sure youth have access to all of our programs regardless of their ability to pay”.  Kathleen Walsh, Event Co-Chair, Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Metro North

The Torigian Family YMCA was unrecognizable as supporters filled the gymnasium for a travel-themed party. The night was sponsored by local businesses and featured food stations represented by 24 restaurants. There were live and silent auctions as well as entertainment including a performance by Jossue Giron, a 9 year old youth member at the Lynn YMCA who has benefitted from the Y’s programming.

The night cumulated with the drawing of the lucky winner of the dinner for 2 anywhere in the world raffle. The winner of this year’s raffle was Lydia Todd of Peabody, MA. Lydia will receive 2 roundtrip airline tickets, hotel accommodations and dinner at her choice of restaurant values up to $10,000.

“The evening was a total success.  We had over 240 people in attendance and we sold literally thousands of raffle tickets for the grand prize trip. It was amazing watching people enter the Torigian Family YMCA and seeing it had been transformed into a beautiful international gateway.  While we had one lucky winner of the trip, the true winners of the evening were the over 1,500 children who will now be able to attend the YMCA with our financial assistance.” David Gravel, Event Co-Chair, President and CEO of GraVoc