SCHOTTLAND FAMILY MAKES TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT
$3.5 MILLION GIFT IS THE LARGEST SINGLE CAPITAL DONATION IN YMCA’S 164-YEAR HISTORY
The YMCA of Greater Rochester is pleased to announce the largest single capital donation in the organization’s 164-year history. Philanthropists and community leaders Peter and Susan Schottland donated $3.5 million to support the new Y branch, currently under construction at the corner of Clover Street and Jefferson Road in Pittsford. With this gift, the 140,000-square-foot branch will officially be named the Schottland Family Branch.
“Susan and I believe deeply in the importance of the YMCA as it provides so many important services to our community and most importantly is available to all Rochesterians,” said Peter. “We are honored to be able to help such a wonderful cause.”
The Schottland Family Branch, on schedule to open in September 2019, will be among the largest in the United States and serve the entire region, including Pittsford, Mendon, Brighton and Henrietta.
“Peter, Susan and the entire Schottland family believe deeply in the Y mission,” said YMCA of Greater Rochester President and CEO George M. Romell. “The family is committing to the highest level of philanthropy, representing extraordinary generosity that not only demonstrates the Schottlands’ love and support of the YMCA organization, but in perpetuity, makes their name and the YMCA synonymous.”
The Schottland family have been members of the YMCA for more than 30 years. Having moved here from Philadelphia in the late 80s, the YMCA community was so welcoming and offered their family a sense of belonging. When the Schottland’s four children were young, their pool was one of the neighborhood locations for the YMCA Backyard Summer Swim Program.
“The Schottland family’s generosity is awe-inspiring,” said Dan Burns, M&T Bank Regional President and YMCA of Greater Rochester Corporate Board Member. “This transformative gift pushes the YMCA closer to completing a one-of-a-kind facility where children, families and seniors throughout the community will gather together.”
The YMCA means a great deal to Peter, who continues to play basketball regularly at the Southeast and Eastside YMCAs, as he has for more than 30 years. The relationships Peter, (known as “Glacier” on the court), has built on the basketball court, exemplify the unique ways the Y builds community. For Susan, programs like Child Watch and the Kids Adventure Center helped her stay connected to her community and care for herself when she had three daughters under the age of four. The Schottland family children have cherished Y memories, too. They include programs like Make-It-Bake-It and Parachute Time, as well as the Indian Princess and Indian Guide program.
The Schottland family business, American Packaging Corporation, has long been a generous contributor to the YMCA’s Annual Campaign which provides program and membership funds for those who need financial support.
American Packaging Corporation is a leading flexible packaging converter in North America, for which Peter Schottland has served as Chief Executive Officer since 1999 and owned since 1986. The company built a new facility in Chili in January 2018, focused on flexographic printing and laminating.
“The creation of the new American Packaging Corporation facility is a shining example of our what our community can do in creating jobs and economic growth,” said Bob Duffy, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and co-chair of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. “The Schottland Family has built a wonderful business. I am honored to celebrate their philanthropic spirit which furthers the great work and mission of the YMCA.”
The Schottland Family Branch is the cornerstone of the YMCA’s 10-year Strengthening Communities Campaign. The campaign remains focused on improving programs and addressing urgent human-service needs for children, youth, adults, and seniors with diverse backgrounds. At the Schottland Family Branch this will be uniquely accomplished through the Y’s robust partnership with UR Medicine.
“I speak for all YMCA of Greater Rochester staff and volunteers when I say the Y is humbled the Schottland family selected the YMCA as its charity of choice,” said Romell. “The project would not be possible without such extraordinary philanthropic support. This deep commitment will help transform the community and make services available to all for generations to come.”
Fundraising is ongoing, with a goal of securing 50 percent of construction costs through philanthropy prior to opening. The Schottland Family Branch is one of just four of the YMCA of Greater Rochester’s 17 locations bearing family names, joining the Carlson MetroCenter in downtown Rochester and the association’s two overnight camps, Camp Cory in the Finger Lakes region and Camp Gorham in the Adirondacks.