Allen Walston, treasurer of the Atmore Area YMCA board of directors, says the YMCA is still short of its fund raising goal.

In July, the YMCA announced it would close unless immediate funds were raised to allow its doors to stay open. At that time, the board of directors said it would take $75,000 to stay operational for another 12 months, through July 2015.

Walston said Tuesday that the organization has received $28,000 in cash and another $39,000 in committed donations, leaving the YMCA about $8,000 short of its goal.

The board of directors has set a deadline of Dec. 1 for the fund raising effort.

“We were a bit fearful that people would rally at the start, but then when the money started coming in that things might die down some,” Walston said. “That’s exactly what has happened. The urgency is still there.”

Walston said the board has looked at several ways to improve the YMCA’s financial situation, including a slight increase in membership fees and the outsourcing of some programs to save money.

He also said that the YMCA will hold a membership drive at Williams Station Day in October, and the $40 joining fee will be waived for anyone who signs up as a member.

“People who can’t afford to donate, they can really help us out by becoming a member,” Walston said. “There are a lot of people who come to Williams Station Day, so we’re hoping we can get a lot of new members that day.”