Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma announced a $1 million donation to the YMCA of Greater Flint on Wednesday. The generous donation is going towards the construction of a new gymnasium in the organization’s planned $41 million facility. It will be located on Harrison Street in downtown Flint.

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Furthermore, the new facility is set to break ground in spring 2023 and open by January 2025. It will feature a six-lane lap pool, family splash pad and spa, locker rooms, full-length basketball court, and a track.

The YMCA of Greater Flint will name the gymnasium after Kuzma and equip it for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.

Kuzma, a Flint native, spoke about the significance of the YMCA in his life: “Growing up in Flint, the YMCA was very much my home away from home. It was my safe place and looking back now, it truly was the birthplace of many of the dreams I had as a young kid. This donation is for the next generation and it’s my hope that this new facility can provide them with the same thing that it did for me: a place to dream.”

This is not the first time Kuzma has made a donation to the YMCA of Greater Flint.

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Kuzma has made several visits to the organization and openly shared the impact it had on him during his childhood. For instance, he recently surprised basketball campers at the YMCA after touring the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

Pam Bailey, Director of Fundraising and Public Relations at the YMCA of Greater Flint, expressed her gratitude for Kuzma’s donation. Without reservation, she said, “We are just beyond speechless and grateful. We’ve always known that he’s been great role model. Now, to make this gift, it just shows what a class act he is. We want every kid in our program to be like Kyle. He’s giving us the money to help kids dream big dreams.”

Undoubtedly, this generous donation from Kyle Kuzma will provide the children of Flint with a state-of-the-art facility where they can pursue their athletic dreams and develop their skills. The entire Flint community is incredibly grateful for this support and the impact it will have on the next generation.

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