Publix Charities donation to help build 65,000-square-foot YMCA in South Florida.
The L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center will provide health and wellness programs, afterschool programs, community events and workforce education courses.
Cutting the ribbon: Robyn Hankerson-Printemps, community relations manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Miami Division; Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director, Publix Super Markets Charities; YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl Woods; Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman; and Gabe Ochoa, senior vice president, YMCA of South Florida.
Publix Super Markets Charities has donated $250,000 to the YMCA of South Florida to support its new 65,000-square-foot L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center in Fort Lauderdale.
The four-story facility will house a preschool; a four-lane, 25-meter swimming pool; full-court basketball court; fully equipped fitness center; and a performing arts theater.
“Publix Charities is proud to support the YMCA of South Florida as it strives to build healthy, confident and secure children, families and communities,” Publix Super Markets Charities Executive Director Kelly Williams-Puccio said. “The L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center is a shining example of Publix Charities’ and the Y’s commitment to our communities.”
The L.A. Lee YMCA will have a significant impact on the community economically and culturally through health and wellness programs, afterschool programs, community events, and workforce education courses. The facility will include retail space to help bring businesses and job opportunities to the historically Black community’s main street. The Victory Black Box Theatre will provide cultural arts programming, arts education and knowledge of behind-the-scenes performing arts.
Robyn Hankerson-Printemps, community relations manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Miami Division; Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman; Niki Lopez, lead artist, project curator/manager/art director/designer and art director and designer, “I Have A Dream” Gallery and the Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition wall presented by Spirit Airlines at the Y at Sistrunk; Gabe Ochoa, senior vice president, YMCA of South Florida; Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director, Publix Super Markets Charities; Khaulah Naima Nuruddin, mixed media artist, Word Art Wall; and YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl Woods.Cutting the ribbon: Robyn Hankerson-Printemps, community relations manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Miami Division; Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director, Publix Super Markets Charities; YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl Woods; Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman; and Gabe Ochoa, senior vice president, YMCA of South Florida.
Before building the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, the Y met with the community to get their input on the new facility. During those discussions, the Y captured words that were frequently mentioned, including “unity,” “memories,” “history,” “future” and “hope.” These words now adorn the Word Art Wall in the main lobby, which is generously supported by Publix Super Markets Charities.
“Words tell a story and that’s why it was so important to have community input because this is their Y,” YMCA President and CEO Sheryl Woods said. “We are so grateful for the support Publix and Publix Charities have given us over the years. They are an amazing partner, and we appreciate all that they do to make our local communities the best that they can be.”
Publix Super Markets Charities is involved in several other Y initiatives including water safety and drowning prevention programs, Healthy Kids Day and the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspirational Weekend.
Niki Lopez, lead artist, project curator/manager/art director/designer and art director and designer, “I Have A Dream” Gallery and the Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition wall presented by Spirit Airlines at the Y at Sistrunk; Khaulah Naima Nuruddin, mixed media artist, Word Art Wall.