YMCA teams up with Groupon for additional support for mentor program

The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee has teamed up with Groupon to raise needed funds for its mentoring program, Sponsor-A-Scholar.
The campaign allows Milwaukeeans to support the costs of funding incoming freshmen Sponsor-A-Scholar students’ participation in a half-day, three week-long YMCA organized summer academic enrichment program.
“Everyone should partner in this effort! It’s easy to participate and you’ll feel great about yourself at the end of the day. You’ll know that you’ve contributed additional financial resources to help run a high-quality and extremely-effective program that is much needed in the Milwaukee community,” said Marie Olmsted, Sponsor-A-Scholar Program Director, YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “We are very appreciative of Groupon’s support, not only for the funds this kind of visibility can provide, but more importantly for the awareness it will help to raise.”
The Sponsor-A-Scholar G-Team Campaign has been available on Groupon Milwaukee’s G-Team page since Tuesday, Sept. 13. It will continue to run through the end of today, Friday, Sept. 16. and running through Friday, Sept. 16.  Groupon followers can pledge support for the Sponsor-A-Scholar initiative in increments of $10, with every $250 covering the costs of one student’s participation in the summer academic enrichment program. All proceeds from the campaign will be used to support additional students’ involvement in the Y’s summer academic enrichment program.
According to the Groupon website, Groupon started as, “The Point,” a fundraising collective-action website. Now in its current ‘daily deal’ form, the G-Team emerged and helps connect Groupon subscribers with local causes they can contribute to.
The G-Team deals has happened on a roll out basis in cities across the country. The YMCA Sponsor-A-Scholar initiative is the first in the Milwaukee area, but others will be highlighted in the future.
In order to become a Groupon featured organization they must fund campaigns that accomplish tangible results and they must be vetted and approved by an organization like Guide Star. Those interested in being featured on the site can apply for sponsorship at the Groupon website.