Busby’s Heating and Air recently donated $1,000 to the Greater Augusta Family YMCA, contributing to an ongoing cycle of community support.
“One of my mentors taught me to be a river, not a reservoir,” said owner Rick Busby. “So when you are blessed, and you have profits, don’t sit on them, don’t stack them up; bless other people.”
The Augusta HVAC contractor made its donation through its Busby’s Cares Community Contribution initiative, which began a little over a year ago. Every month the business sets aside $1,000, to have a minimum of $12,000 each year, to make regular contributions to local non-profits.
At the end of February, Busby’s made its contribution to the Family YMCA to support its annual fundraising campaign, particularly for its scholarships and outreach programs. The scholarships are to help participants and families who can’t afford full YMCA memberships, as well as for summer camps and the Y’s childcare facilities.
“I mentioned to Rick, ‘We’re in the middle of this campaign. We’re raising money; there are three people here in our company alone who are taking advantage of scholarships from the Y in various things,’” said Jeff Asselin, recruiting manager at Busby’s Heating and Air, and a member of the Family YMCA’s volunteer board. “It really drove home the fact that we’re not only supporting other people, but we’re supporting our own in a way here, too.”
This year the Augusta YMCA is looking raise some $1.6 million toward its scholarships and outreach programs, and usually raises roughly $2 million each year.
“We do a lot of free outreach programs,” said James Thomas, district vice president of Family YMCA of Greater Augusta. Alongside the scholarships, the Y raises money for initiatives such as Place to Dream, which provides children free beds; the Livestrong foundation, which supports people affected by cancer; and Safety Around Water, which teaches water safety skills.
“Technically all of that is what the donation is going to,” Thomas said.
Asselin and Thomas both acknowledge the importance of contributions from the community to the Augusta Y in fulfilling its mission.
“We as a company, and myself personally, have been extremely blessed by this community. And I think it’s our responsibility and obligation to give back,” Busby said.
For more information on how to donate to the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, visit www.thefamilyy.org.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
