City Councilwoman Michele Petitti Helps Raise Money for YMCA's Partners With Youth Scholarships

When she's not attending City Council meetings, Michele Petitti can be found at the Coal Creek Family YMCA in Newcastle, where she serves as the Eastside director of development.

One big project before her and other Y employees: Raising money for the organization's Partners With Youth campaign, which runs through March 17. This year's theme, she said, is "Give. Grow. Inspire."

Donations go to providing support for classes and assistance for those who meet certain guidelines. "The money lowers program costs and creates a pool of dollars so we can offer financial scholarships," she wrote in an email.

This year, the YMCA of Greater Seattle hopes to raise more than $4.7 million, according to Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., vice chair of the greater organization's board. 

At the Coal Creek facility, this year's goal is to raise $330,000, Petitti said.

On the Eastside, Sammamish and other residents can donate to the Coal Creek facility. It is also possible to contribute to the YMCA through the Bellevue Family YMCA and the Sammamish Family YMCA.

Recently, when a Partners With Youth fundraising gathering was held at the Coal Creek Family YMCA, one other person with Sammamish ties showed up to lend his support - Police Chief Nate Elledge.

Petitti said he's agreed to help the campaign.

Editor's note: Before I started working for Patch.com, I worked as a membership services representative at the Coal Creek Family YMCA. While there, I met Petitti and became aware of the Partners With Youth campaign. Sammamish Patch is posting this information as a public service announcement.