For Roy Lewis and Bud Shevenell, growing up at the YMCA is a birthright of sorts for those in the region.

"It's a rite of passage," said Lewis, who along with Shevenell is serving as co-chairman of this year's YMCA Annual Fund Drive. "There are legions of us in the community who remember our days spent hanging around the Y."

And it's a tradition that doesn't seem to be on the way out. On the contrary, over one-third of the YMCA's current 3,000-plus members are under the age of 18. The `Y rat' population, it seems, is alive and well. Lewis would like to see that it stays that way.

"Where else in the community do we have a haven where no one is turned away?" he said. "The Y has been consistently meeting the needs of this community for over 50 years. We simply can't stop now."

In a sense, the YMCA's Annual Fund Drive, and its $250,000 goal, has become a microcosm of the organization itself through the years, with volunteers stepping forward, contributing to what they deem a worthwhile cause.

"Public support, volunteerism, these are cornerstones of our existence," said Executive Director Andy Hamblett. "We simply could not reach all of the people we do, and have the impact that we've had and continue to have, without strong support."

Hamblett is quick to point out that what he calls the YMCA's `reach' in the community is increasing of late. Its program-driven tentacles have teamed up with local schools for asset building, St. Andrews Hospital for rehabilitation services, the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, the Boothbay Region Land Trust and the recently relocated Ocean Classroom to name some recent collaborative ventures.

"That's why we really believe it when we say, `You're a member of the YMCA whether you know it or not,'" added Lewis.

To all involved, inclusion is the buzz word. Be it subsidized youth, teen and Y-Arts programs or swim lessons, be it the 480 individuals who receive financial assistance, be it the nearly 450 children who went back to school this fall with a YMCA lifetime summer camp memory, be it providing high-quality affordable childcare, the Boothbay Region YMCA has consistently strived to meet community needs.

"Take a minute and think about what role the YMCA has on your past and your lives day," said Lewis. "Chances are it's a pretty significant one. All we want is to stay on that path."