The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are proving to be a good friend to the Atmore Area YMCA after news of a large grant was released on Tuesday afternoon.

Poarch has approved a six-figure donation to the YMCA with those funds being dedicated to a specific area of need for the nonprofit organization.

“They are making a donation of $150,000, which will be used for capital improvements to the building,” Allen Walston, president of the Atmore Area YMCA, said. “We are so thankful for the generosity that Poarch is showing.”

Walston and the board were not the only one happy to see the grants get approval.

Ross Terry, manager of the Atmore Area YMCA, said he thinks the money will be a big help to the YMCA.

“I think its great what Poarch is doing for the Y,” Terry said. “It will really help us out so much.”

With the money going towards improvements to the facility, the staff and board at the Y are exploring different options.

Terry said those options include everything to the look of the building down to the addition of some needs.

“We are looking to replace some windows that give us problems during bad weather,” Terry said. “We are also looking into the possibility of getting new doors, adding showers or fixing the floor in the aerobics room.”

Tuesday’s announcement of the donation is not the only one that PCI will make to the Y with the option for another grant to be donated with the amount depending on the help of the community.

“They are also giving another grant, which is worth up to $150,000,” Walston said. “The deal with that grant is we have to raise money in the community with Poarch matching whatever dollar amount we can raise.”

The grants, which will do a great justice to helping the Y show the commitment that Poarch has for Atmore.

For Walston, the grants show that Poarch is a good ally to have. He added that he hopes the community will also step up to aid the Y.

“Poarch is proving they are a good neighbor,” Walston said. “They are putting funds they earn back into the community to improve the quality of life. I’m hoping that the community and local businesses will make steps and give contributions, so that the money will not just be left on the table. This affects the entire community not just the Y because of the renovations and updates that we will be able to do to such a historic building that means a lot to this community.”

For more information on how to contribute to the Y contact the staff at 368-YMCA (9622).