Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
Youth Athletics Recreational Development (YARD) Campus is looking to extend its outreach to the community in a big way in the near future. The nonprofit is looking for golfers within the Nisqually Valley region to join the organization in its efforts.
At 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Tahoma Valley Golf Course, YARD Campus, in collaboration with the local course, will host its first ever fundraising golf tournament — an activity that Michelle Stephan, co-owner of YARD, said will raise funds for the organization’s programs, scholarship opportunities and help make its five-year plan become a reality.
She said YARD is hoping to bring an indoor pool and a teen center to its campus within five years.
“We are super proud of all the work they’ve been doing out there, and we wanted to support another local business. This will be our first time holding this, too. The idea would be to set something up yearly, too,” Michelle said. “We obviously support all sports in general, and we’d been talking to some other local business owners like Bill (DeVore) at 507. He also does a fundraiser golf tournament (the annual Cuffs n’ Trucks golf tournament, which benefits the Justin Norton Memorial Fund). The idea of community and bringing everyone together is always high on our list.”
Her husband, Dustin, YARD Campus co-owner, added that Tahoma Valley has been a fantastic partner for the event as the community enrichment group finds its stride in hosting a charity golf tournament.
“Right now, we need teams. The golf course can hold 33 teams. We’d love to have 33 teams out there. In that package, you get tournament fees paid for, a drink ticket, a burger and a side. We also have some raffle and silent auction items out there,” Dustin said. “The winner is going to get a basket with some local gift cards. Ultimately, we need to get the word out there so we get some teams to show up and participate.”
He added that there are big plans in store for the YARD Campus with the five-year goal of bringing an indoor swimming pool and teen center to Yelm. He hopes to see the two additions be funded by the community and for the community, rather than raising local taxpayers rates’ by introducing bonds to construct an aquatic center.
“We have big plans for YARD Campus. Michelle mentioned the indoor pool. We have a goal of a teen center, where teenagers can go and have a place to hangout. It would have a mini-arcade, and some other things,” Dustin said. “Instead of constantly going to the city, as an example, where they’re going to want to raise taxes to help fund this. The city is a great partner, but we’re looking for other ways to fund this project — community funding, sponsors, donors, grants. We want to keep the programs cost effective for the community, but still grow and provide those services for a need for a teen center, the need for some sort of community aquatic center.”
He added the local community has “voiced very loudly” that they’d like to see additions to Yelm like an indoor swimming facility or teen center, and YARD Campus is trying to “think outside the box” on ways to fund those without doing a bond and thus, raising taxes.
“YARD Campus, originally we just started as YARD, but we realized there was room for expansion as the community voiced what they needed and wanted. The idea is to have an entire campus where we have several areas for the community. We are an academic, athletic and life skills tutoring facility. That includes classes for ages 3 to 5, and also including high school,” he said. “We want to continue getting our name out there and let people realize what we’re trying to accomplish. We have a very generous and supportive community, and we hope to get the community buy-in to help support this, keep local athletes local, keep local students local, and just be there for the benefit of the community. We want to be a central spot where eventually there could be resources for families who might be struggling.”
YARD Campus loves being actively involved within the community, according to Michelle.
You can register for the local organization’s fundraiser event through their Facebook event for the golf tournament, or by reaching out online to the Stephans.
“We’ve had such great success with our color run. I love community events. I think the city has done a great job with events during the summertime, and we just want to be able to provide more events for the community, more stuff to do,” she said. “We also want to build relationships with local businesses. One of the points he’s already driven is that Yelm already has so many businesses that are so generous with their time and money within the community. We’re listening and learning, and trying to find the best ways to serve the community.”
