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The YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo kicked off its annual campaign to raise funds for membership and program assistance.

Several hundred campaign volunteers attended Monday’s “tailgate” event at The Pinnacle in Maumee. Volunteers wore jerseys and apparel of their favorite sports teams for the event’s “A League of Their Own” theme.

The goal for the month-long 2013 campaign is to collect $2 million. The funds will help fund programs at YMCA and JCC facilities, and provide memberships to community members who would not normally be able to afford them.

“The money that we raised helped 70,000 people last year,” said campaign chairman Ford Weber. The fund-raising really added up last summer as Weber said, “We provided 72,000 meals to underserved kids in our community.”

Many volunteers will ask for donations from within their own community circles. Staff and volunteers from Toledo’s East Community YMCA began their campaign with a goal of raising $90,000 of the $2 million.

East Community YMCA team leader Caleb Cooper said, “We help over 970 seniors, kids, and families access the Y who wouldn’t normally be able to afford it.”

Volunteers at Monday’s tailgate were treated to a buffet dinner as they were entertained by University of Toledo mascot “Rocksy.” Each YMCA branch also reported their financial standings, goals and progress reports.