Since 2016, the annual fundraising Carmel Gala, Design Bright Futures, has supported the work of the Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP) by providing nearly 90 percent of the funding for the non-profit organization.
This year, the CYAP Board of Directors was faced with the devastating and unprecedented decision to cancel the 2020 event to keep in line with the CDC’s recommendation to cancel or postpone all in-person events through mid-May to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Carmel Gala has been held the past four years in support of the CYAP. This fundraiser has grown each year, bringing in more than $70,000 in 2019. Plans for the April 25 event were well underway when physical distancing guidelines were put in place a little more than a month out from the event. Sponsors had been secured at several different levels of support bringing in several thousand dollars of funding ahead of the event.
“The commitment of our sponsors to the youth of Carmel is overwhelming,” said CYAP Board of Directors President Bob Youkilis. “In light of the event cancellation, our event sponsors were given the opportunity to request a refund of their sponsorship dollars. However, despite the cancellation, they responded with overwhelming support allowing us to keep their donations and use their funding dollars to directly help youth and families throughout Carmel at a time when many are facing unprecedented needs.”
The CYAP Board of Directors is extending its extreme gratitude to the following companies and organizations for their commitment to supporting the youth of their community:
Naming Sponsors
City of Carmel
United Consulting
Verizon
Gold Level Sponsors
Ascension St. Vincent Carmel
Carmel City Council
Duke Energy
DWA Healthcare Communications Group
Hylant
Somerset
Silver Level Sponsors
Anthem BC/BS
American Structurepoint
Church Church Hittle + Antrim
F.A. Wilhelm Construction
FirstMile Security
Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C.
Northside ENT
Office of City Clerk
Tammy Thornbury
Wallack, Somers & Haas, P.C.
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Sponsorship dollars make up a portion of the funding received each year at the Carmel Gala while event attendees provide additional funding through silent auction bids, dessert dash donations, and other contributions throughout the evening. Dessert Dash funds in 2019 accounted for more than $17,000 in dedicated funding to the Carmel Summer Meals Program alone. The loss of this additional funding still leaves CYAP facing a potential funding shortfall in 2020. Additionally, more families than ever before are reaching out to CYAP for meal assistance through the Carmel Summer Meals Program.
Each year, more than 1,500 students receive free or reduced meals through Carmel Clay Schools. When the school year is over, CYAP steps in to provide the Carmel Summer Meals Program to feed students away from school who may otherwise go without these two additional meals each day. This program is made possible thanks to a partnership with the Merciful H.E.L.P. Center, Orchard Park Church, and St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
Last year, 262 students signed up to participate in the Carmel Summer Meals Program and receive food resources. With a large number of people facing potential joblessness due to the closure of businesses to keep in line with social distancing guidelines, significant stress has been added to many families during this time. As of April 15, CYAP has already seen a significant rise in sign-ups for this program with more than 200 additional students requesting program participation bringing the total to 529.
The pressing need for food will likely continue to rise as the effects of physical distancing guidelines due to COVID-19 remain in place. CYAP is asking for public support to help fund the Summer Meals Program to make up for the lack of funding lost from the gala cancellation. Donations can be made online at youthassistance.org/carmel-donation or send a check made payable to Carmel Youth Assistance Program with Summer Meals in the memo line and mail to CYAP, 515 E. Main St., Suite 127, Carmel, IN 46032.