BOISE, Idaho — If you have ever stepped foot inside the downtown Young Men's Christian Association, (YMCA) in Boise, or driven past it on State Street, you should know you are seeing, or walking, into virtually the same building that's been there since before man walked on the moon.
And if you've ever tried to park there, you already know, it would be easier to park on the moon.
What people may not know, is that building was built because of a fundraiser that is happening this weekend. Fundsy, the bi-annual gala to raise money for local nonprofits to use on buildings.
This year, Fundsy has come full circle, once again raising money to help pay for the new downtown YMCA. This story will provide some of the history of the YMCA in Boise, and the nonprofit that began because of it.
The noon ball at Boise's only downtown YMCA always begins with sorting and stacking. The activity is just one of the exercise options available and has been a midday tradition going back decades. It brings in all walks of life.
John Williams has played noon ball since he moved to Boise, 30 years ago.
"We had doctors who played, brokers, you name it," Williams said. "We used to have a sitting State Supreme Court Justice that used to play, but when they step on the court everybody's fair game. It's a good way to unwind and it's a good social network. The basketball is part of it, candidly, but it's a social network."
David Bruce has played at the YMCA even longer, 44 years.
"You know it think it's really a great example of how community happens at the Y," Bruce said. "It's just been a really cool part of this y's history."
Basketball has been a been part of the YMCA's history since Dr. James Naismith invented the game at the Springfield, Massachusetts chapter in 1891.
As for the YMCA's beginnings in Boise. It happened about the same time, culminating with the Young Men's Christian Association incorporating in 1892. Convening first in the Sonna Building on the corner of 9th and Main Streets.
Ten years later, in 1902, the YMCA bought it's first building at 10th and Grove, and the organization introduced Idaho's first organized basketball team. In 19222 they moved two blocks away and added a pool. A multiplying membership meant a need for more space.
So, instead of another corner lot, the YMCA bought a whole city block in 1962, between 10th and 11th and State and Washington Streets, with plans to replace the Methodist Church with a state-of-the-art facility. A million dollars was raised but that was still several hundreds of thousands short.
By 1967 the YMCA was an empty shell. In order to fill it hey needed to fill some coffers. They needed a fundraiser for the YMCA.
Funds…for the Y. Fundsy.
It was actually billed in the beginning…as "fund serving you." An exciting first for Boise, a fun-filled party-auction, with food, drink and Dianne Norris, Miss Fundsy, and help finish building a brand-new YMCA.
The first Fundsy in 1967 raised $38,000, but kickstarting a campaign to fund the YMCA was just the beginning. Today, Fundsy is considered the city's oldest nonprofit.
57 years later, the YMCA is hoping Fundsy can help them again, to help fund a new beginning.
The YMCA is moving to a larger and newer space across the street. There will be a new pool, a neuro diversity center and a 134 seat child care center.
People can learn more about Fundsy here.
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