Jim Horn
As a board member for the last six years, Jim Horn knows the how deeply Chester County benefits from the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, so accepting the role as this year’s fundraising campaign chair came without question.
He’s eager to share the Y’s story from an even larger platform and his voice will begin to amplify during the kickoff of the Y’s annual campaign at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at CTDI.
There, hundreds of Y volunteers and staff will rally to build enthusiasm for the upcoming campaign to raise $1.3 million to help the Y transform lives in Chester County. It will be a time to reflect and revisit the important work of the Y’s community programs and ongoing involvement. It will be Horn’s time to inspire.
“Everybody has their hot-button issue – a different cause that they might support,” he said. “The reason I support the Y is because of what the Y does for the community, for the youth, for the areas the Y serves. I firmly believe in the mission.”
As president and CEO of The Tri-M Group, Horn’s beliefs often lead toward success. He started at the electrical solutions company in 1983 as a designer and estimator and worked his way up to his current position, which he has held for 15 years.
Headquartered in Kennett Square with offices across Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida, Horn has positioned The Tri-M Group for $90 million in annual revenues.
“We are indeed fortunate to have such a noted corporate voice step up to lead this campaign,” said YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s Chief Development Officer Mary Burns. “We couldn’t serve 13,000 individuals and families with more than $3.8 million in financial assistance without our talented staff and the generous support from our dedicated volunteers, community partners and donors.”
From quality childcare to tools for fighting chronic disease to life-saving water safety skills, the Y’s work continues to impact generations.
“We, as a company, have always admired and respected the Y’s involvement and the impact on the communities they serve,” Horn said. “Not only has the Y become a vital partner in our communities, but it plays an important role in the development of our children. Focusing on youth development will help those individuals become successful wherever they go and happen to end up in their careers.”
For example, funds raised during the annual campaign give Chester County children who otherwise would be home alone safe places to go for homework help and fun, character-building activities. That includes enrichment activities such as the 7th Grade Initiative, the Y’s innovative program that provides a no-cost Y membership for these Chester County students. The initiative reaches children at a critical stage and offers them places to find friends, healthier habits and even mentorship, often influencing their academic and social development.
Horn also believes it’s important to emphasize the larger role the Y plays in emphasizing the overall health and wellness in Chester County. He holds his own workplace an example, where granola and fruit have replaced chips and doughnuts.
But establishing wellness means bringing better balance, in mind, spirit and body. While some think of the Y as just a place to work out, it’s really so much more, he said.
“These other gyms and fitness centers, they don’t have the same mission as the Y or what the Y does in the community,” Horn said. “That’s what differentiates us from everybody else. And I look forward to sharing more about what impact the Y and this campaign has on the communities we serve.”
To give or learn more about the annual campaign, visit www.ymcagbw.org/donate/giving.
