Austin, TX. May 23, 2024 – The Greater Ausitn YMCA is the proud recipient of a $100,000 gift from JE Dunn Construction. In honor of its Centennial celebration, JE Dunn is extending its community impact by choosing ten worthy organizations to receive a gift of $100,000 to further their important work. This community impact program, Building a Legacy: A Century of Generosity, will be honoring nonprofit organizations from across the country. The Greater Austin YMCA, which works to provide access and help people of all backgrounds improve their total wellbeing and quality of life, received this grant on Thursday, May 23, in a surprise ceremony at JE Dunn Construction’s Austin headquarters.
“JE Dunn has been a longstanding supporter of the Greater Austin YMCA, and especially YMCA Camp Moody,” said Kathy Kuras, Greater Austin YMCA President & CEO. “This Centennial Grant will help us fulfill the long-term vision for YMCA Camp Moody and enable us to deliver transformative camp experiences to kids. One in four kids at Y camp benefits from assistance provided by donors like JE Dunn. We are very grateful and extremely humbled by the generosity of all our supporters.”
The Greater Austin YMCA will use the money to build an airnasium as part of the upcoming expansion of Camp Moody – a summer camp that was constructed by JE Dunn in 2020. The open-air gym will provide a multi-purpose space for multiple sports and recreational activities. This 5,153-square-foot area will offer court spaces for various sports including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, dodgeball, archery tag, and more. The space will provide campers, members, school groups, and families a safe area for play and recreation.
“This donation is an incredible opportunity to celebrate more than a decade of partnership between our two organizations while supporting the great work being carried out by the Greater Austin YMCA,” said Brian Haulotte, Vice President and Regional Director of Construction Operations at JE Dunn. “I cannot wait to see the airnasium become a staple of Camp Moody and be enjoyed by residents in Central Texas.”
According to an Impact Report from 2020-2022, YMCA Camp Moody has served: over 1,000 families through campouts, adventure days, and special events, 350 students in outdoor education programs and field trips at camp through area school districts, 800 members in health & wellness and group training programs, and 1,200 kids through swim teams and swim lessons.
At the start of the year, JE Dunn employees nominated and voted on a variety of nonprofits to settle on the final 10 recipients. In addition to the Greater Austin YMCA, $100,000 gifts have been made to Colorado Youth Outdoors, Kanbe’s Markets in Kansas City, Missouri, and Our Kids Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The other seven $100,000 donations will be made over the remainder of the year.
“It’s our goal to celebrate the Centennial and the incredible impact JE Dunn has had on the communities where we live and work,” JE Dunn Community Impact Director Nancy Phelps said. “It’s an incredible honor to recognize these amazing organizations and help them further their mission.”
