YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties — along with more than 350 volunteers, donors, elected officials, staff and members of the community — celebrated the reopening of the fully renovated Fairless Hills branch during a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), in his remarks to the crowd, congratulated the Y and its donors for raising over $30 million needed to revitalize the Fairless Hills branch and expand the Doylestown branch.

“The Y has been the fortunate recipient of a tremendous amount of public support due to the efforts of elected officials. This is demonstrative that it takes everyone, regardless of opinion or issue, to come together for the greater good,” he said. 

The Congressman stressed the importance of the organization, saying, “The Y is not just a fitness center; it’s a 36-degree life center.

Zane Moore, president/CEO commented from a position of gratitude: “We are very grateful to our Pennsylvania legislators, at both state and federal levels, for committing across the aisle to the growth and sustainability of YMCAs like our Fairless Hills branch.”

Also speaking at today’s ribbon-cutting were leadership donors:

• Dan Bradley, president of Select Medical Outpatient Division
• Beth Beans Gilbert, vice-president of Fred Beans Auto Group
• Tom Lynch, president and co-founder of the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation

They generously supported the project and helped to kick start momentum around its “For A Better Us” campaign.

“What the YMCA does is right in the sweet spot of what we are trying to do at the Danaher Lynch Family Foundation,” said Lynch, explaining his easy decision to support the campaign.

“We all have needs at different times in our lives. Everyone, at some point, needs help. We are coming together with the Y to help people be the best they can be, and right in the community we grew up in.”

Moore elaborated on that theme, closing the public remarks by saying, “There are many donors who got behind this project because of a deep commitment to strengthening the Lower Bucks Community, recognizing the importance of a strong Y and what it could mean to help revitalize this community.”