Release March 19, 2013
To commemorate a $1 million dollar gift from Ocala business and community leader Frank DeLuca, the Marion County Y and the Central Florida Y association’s leadership have offered to name the local Y the Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center. And DeLuca has accepted the honor. The surprise announcement was made at a March 19 reception amongst Y supporters and friends of DeLuca.
DeLuca’s gift will be applied toward a $4.5 million capital campaign to renovate the existing center located in Ocala. On track to serve nearly 35,000 adults and children each year during the next three years, the proposed capital improvements are essential to ensure the Y can sustain its quality of it programs offered at the family center and within the community.
Steve Wingo, chair of the Y’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee as well as a member of the Central Florida Y’s Board of Directors, believes the Y and DeLuca make a great match. “At the YMCA we believe in social responsibility, which is one of our three areas of focus. Frank has repeatedly positioned his business in positive ways to support charitable organizations,” explains Wingo. “Renaming the Marion County YMCA Family Center the Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center is not only a fitting recognition of his generous gift at this pivotal time in the Y’s history in Marion County, but also a way to honor Frank for his tradition of service and generosity to the Y and other charitable organizations.”
The Y is committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The Marion County Y, now the DeLuca Y, currently reaches 20,000 people in Marion County and serves 8,000 kids. Marion County’s Y was also recently determined to be one of the top five YMCA’s in the country based on surveys of almost 1,100 YMCAs conducted by SEER Analytics consulting firm.
A part of the Central Florida YMCA, the Y in Marion County is one of 27 within the Central Florida association. Central Florida Y CEO Jim Ferber is encouraged by DeLuca’s investment in the Y’s mission, “Frank’s leadership is inspiring. It will hopefully encourage others to understand the Y’s role as a nonprofit organization committed to helping move people and communities forward.”
“Giving back feels good and it’s the right thing to do,” explains DeLuca. “I am honored and extremely proud to be blessed to be in a position to support the Y and our great community in this way. I cannot think of a more worthy organization than the YMCA to support at this level. The Marion County YMCA is not just a ‘gym.’ The Y builds character in our children and families and remains focused on addressing the changing needs of Marion County’s families and improving the overall wellness of our community.”
To date, nearly $3million has been raised toward the $4.5 million capital campaign goal. “We have been blessed to have great leadership behind this capital campaign. We have a strong board of directors, a dedicated campaign steering committee and strong leaders in Steve and Frank,” shares Ben Marciano, Executive Director of the DeLuca Y in Marion County, “Our entire Y family is grateful for Frank’s leadership, generosity and his commitment to the community. His gift will benefit thousands of individuals for generations to come. We are humbled that he would allow us to be a part of his legacy.”
The Marion County YMCA Family Center, 3200 SE 17th St, Ocala, FL 34471
YMCA website 352.368.9622