Spirit Airlines supports YMCA of South Florida

A South Florida company is paying it forward in a big way.

Spirit Airlines’ foundation has pledged $150,000 to YMCA of South Florida in a five-year partnership. The money will help fund the YMCA of South Florida’s LA Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center on Sistrunk Boulevard.

“The YMCA is an important contributor to our community, and we remain committed to support their efforts as they continue to positively impact society in South Florida,” said Laurie Villa, president of The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation and SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer of Spirit Airlines, in a release. “We are very proud of our ongoing partnership with the YMCA and look forward to helping them bring their mission to life for many years to come.”

This isn’t the first time the airline and the nonprofit have worked together to support the community. Spirit’s foundation previously donated $28,000 to support YMCA of South Florida’s weekly grocery deliveries to 100 seniors in 2020. At YMCA’s 17th Martin Luther King Jr. Inspirational Breakfast, Spirit team members “presented the Spirt of Community recognition award to first responders and healthcare professionals who went above and beyond to help during the pandemic.”

“We are so pleased to have created a strategic partnership with Spirit Airlines,” said Sheryl A. Woods, president and CEO of the YMCA of South Florida, in the release. “This five-year alliance demonstrates Spirit’s support for the work that the YMCA does to bring communities together especially during these uncertain and trying times. As part of this partnership, Spirit supports the Y’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Inspirational breakfast and is the sponsor of the “I Have a Dream” wall featuring community and student leaders, along with work from local artists, which will be located in the soon-to-be opening LA Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center on Sistrunk Boulevard.”