Norwich YMCA's 2018-19 Open Doors Scholarship Campaign co-chairs Eric Larsen, Rachel Larsen Flanagan, and Sloane Flanagan. (Grady Thompson photo)

NORWICH – For the 13th year the Norwich Family YMCA has kicked-off its Open Doors Scholarship Campaign, an annual campaign aimed at providing financial assistance to families and individuals who otherwise would not be able to experience the benefits of a membership or programs offered at the Y.

Last year's campaign – co-chaired by Doug and Sharon Wilson, and Kelly Wilson Jones – was the largest to date, with 292 donors raising $103,672. Moneys raised during the campaign are used to support families and individuals who are interested in memberships or programming at the Y but can't afford it.

Norwich YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen said he considers the Open Door Scholarship Campaign to be one of the Y's most important initiatives.

Mullen said, "Without this Open Door Scholarship Program that can provide financial assistance, hundreds of kids and families will never have the opportunity to try to play basketball, or try to do a swim lesson, or have their child in after school care so mom and dad can work the one, two, or three jobs they need to to keep their family afloat."

This year's campaign is co-chaired by Eric Larsen, Rachel Larsen Flanagan, and two-year-old Sloane Flanagan. Eric is a former YMCA board president, Rachel grew up participating in the Y's youth sports, and Sloane has already begun taking swimming lessons at the Y.