Gift provides a new name to the Park Cities YMCA

Frances Moody Dalhberg, Trustee and Executive Director of the Moody Foundation and Gordon Echtenkamp, CEO of the Dallas YMCA announced an $8 million donation to the Dallas YMCA to be used to support the building of the new Park Cities YMCA. 

The gift was commemorated with the unveiling of the building and the new name: the Moody Family YMCA at the Park Cities. This is a significant gift to the overall $28 million YMCA Pathways Campaign to build a new Y for the Park Cities community.

The Moody Family has been a supporter of healthy sports activities for many decades.  Most recently, the Moody Foundation Trustees have recognized the health, social and academic benefits of physical activity and funded may projects for recreational infrastructure, including park developments in Austin, Dallas and Galveston, as well as a variety of programs, making this project a natural fit.

“For more than a hundred years, the YMCA has worked to strengthen communities by producing healthy children and adults with strong values. Y members make good neighbors, and, as both executive director of the Moody Foundation and a resident of this community, I’m particularly pleased that the Foundation is able to help the Park Cities YMCA be a good neighbor, too. While the new building will be a beautiful addition to the neighborhood,  the true legacy of the new Moody Family YMCA will be in the thousands of lives it transforms through the creative expression of children’s activities, the discipline of team sports and life-enhancing exercise and wellness programs for all ages,” states Frances Moody-Dalhberg.

“We are very fortunate to have the Moody family in the Park Cities community and to have received their benevolent gift.  Their gift is testament that they share our vision that the Park Cities Y is the long term community resource that can continue to provide evolving programs to help develop youth, inspire and facilitate fitness and wellness for all ages and address ongoing local community social needs," said Carlos Munguia, Park Cities YMCA Board Chair.

Over the next nine to twelve months the YMCA volunteers and staff will work to secure the balance of the $28 million project.  When the campaign reaches 80% or $22 million in pledges and commitments the Y will break ground.  Construction is expected to last ten to twelve months and it is the hope to open on the new Moody Family YMCA by the end of 2015.

“This is an outstanding moment for the Y and the Park Cities community.  With this generous donation, we can continue the great work of the YMCA for the next generations of children and families in the Park Cites community,” Gordon Echtenkamp said.  “Few individuals ever have the opportunity to become part of major project that will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come - the Moody Family has done just that with this gift.”

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The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in 23 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcadallas.org