Thanks to a generous donation, even more people will have access to the many benefits of a North Royalton Family YMCA membership.
A $5,000 donation from the Westfield Insurance Legacy of Caring Fund was recently awarded to the State Road exercise and wellness facility. Graydon-Toole Insurance Group, who has represented Westfield Insurance for more than 60 years, nominated the North Royalton Family YMCA for a grant from the Westfield Insurance Foundation and presented the check to local leaders in a ceremony last month.
Following the awarding, the North Royalton Family YMCA announced the donation on its Facebook page, posting, “…This gift will be put to good use to help support the financial assistance to the North Royalton community so that everyone has access to our programs and services. Last year, the North Royalton Y alone helped 216 individuals and provided over $95,000 in financial assistance.”
Tim Graydon of Graydon-Toole Insurance Group gave a speech as the donation check was presented.
“Westfield is devoted to nonprofit partners who help families push through troubled times, guiding them to a better place and a better future. The North Royalton Family YMCA is doing this through youth fitness and family activities,” he said. “It is our hope and belief that Westfield’s generous donation will be used to these ends to help families in our area and in doing so, strengthening our community.”
Both Westfield Insurance and Graydon-Toole Insurance Group have strong ties to North Royalton, Graydon also noted in his speech, assisting numerous families and businesses throughout the city and the suburbs of northeast Ohio.
Tim Graydon and his brother, Pete, who are the owners of Graydon-Toole Insurance Group along with Kevin Toole of Lakewood, are North Royalton High School graduates. Tim and his family live in the community.
“We’ve got big ties to the city,” Tim said. “My dad served on the school board and was the president of the Chamber of Commerce in its earliest days. The Chamber used to meet in our basement when I was a child growing up.”
The importance of family stands at the heart of not only both companies, but the individuals who help run them.
“Westfield likes to give back to the community through their foundation,” Tim said. “Westfield is a big promoter of family and family values, and the YMCA is a perfect fit.”
By SARA MACHO HILL
Contributing Writer