Friends and donors gathered at the Camden Yacht Club on Saturday, June 6, to raise funds for the Penobscot Bay YMCA Early Child Care Program, which provides crucial care and support for young children of working families on the Midcoast.

The sold-out event – which included a live auction, light refreshments, a complimentary bar, and entertainment from musical guests Sam Grinnell and Gen Gaus, and local cover band Minivan Carpool – exceeded expectations and netted $43,000 in vital support for the Y’s early child care programs, according to Penobscot Bay YMCA, in a news release.

The Y is the largest provider of child care in Knox County, providing 150 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age with quality care, according to the Y. The program holds a 5-star rating from the State of Maine (the highest level possible) and is nationally accredited by NAEYC, using a play-based, child-led approach. The Y is one of only a few centers in the Midcoast that still offers infant care, and also partners with RSU13 in Rockland to provide a public PreK program, offering the only wraparound care program for 4-year-olds in the district. 

“Our local child care system is struggling financially. Last November, a large child care center in MDI closed its doors. Just last month, in May, a child care provider in Rockland closed its doors. And at the end of August, here in Camden, another child care center has announced that it will close its doors,” said CEO Whitney Files, in the news release. “The Y is one of only a few centers in the Midcoast that still offers high-quality, year-round, full day care for infants through preschool children. Despite rising costs, we refuse to let our working families look for answers alone. Thanks to annual fundraising and the incredible generosity of donors, we are able to keep our child care center doors open. We are proud to ensure that financial assistance is available to 25% of children in our care, with no cap on the number of children we will accept who need support.” 

Boogie for the Babes was made possible thanks to lead sponsors CedarWorks and Barnswallow Books, plus sponsorship from First National Bank, Bookclubs, Camden Whole Health, Buttermilk Kitchen, The Norumbega, LandVest, Bubbles & Bean Children’s Consignment, Roots of Reverie Pediatric Sleep Consulting, Journey’s End Marina, Dirigo Law Group, and RE/MAX Jaret & Cohn.

Additional support was provided by Allen Insurance & Financial, Brazen Baking, Stones Throw Catering, Points North Institute, Long Grain, Windjammer Angelique, French & Brawn, Porch + Pebble, Drusus Tabor, Ariel Hall Design, Bay View Collection, Oyster River Winegrowers, Barren’s Distillery, Aomori Restaurant, Orange Bike Brewing Company, Maine Beer Company, and Villager Cafe.

Penobscot Bay YMCA extends special thanks to Boogie for the Babes planning committee members Julia Carleton, Nicole Emery, Anna Ford, Ariel Hall, Anna Sideris, Ali Thumith, along with host committee members Annemarie Ahearn, Nathan Perkins, Beth Chamberlin, Tara Elliot, Tyler Weeks, Alida Field, David Richards, Dr. Tyler Giberson, Dr. Cassandre Tanner, Erin Jackson, Owen Cartwright, Alex Jiga, Geoff Abbott, Meredith Ralston, Andrew Marchetti, Suzanne Vizethann, and Ryan Barfield. 

Supporters who weren’t able to join the June 6 event are welcome to donate online or send a check (PO Box 840, Rockport, ME 04856). For more information, contact development@penbayymca.org or visit the Penobscot Bay YMCA website at http://www.penbayymca.org/donate

Contact: rborn@penbayymca.org or 207-236-3375.