In the 1950s, the YMCA camp on Back Narrows Road in Boothbay was one of the few places Maxine Tourtillotte could afford to take her two young sons. “It was a godsend,” she said.

This year, she has been helping bring in money – lots of it – by chairing the Boothbay Region YMCA's annual fund drive. The campaign has racked up about $205,000 so far, with Y officials confident it will reach the $280,000 goal by the end of the year. That would surge $20,000 past last year's drive.

After the Y moved to its current building on Route 27, Tourtillotte remained a member and has ever since. The Y has been a part of her life for well over half a century. Tourtillotte is the Y's oldest continuous member, according to Y staff.

The therapeutic pool, part of the Y's new $9.5 million aquatic center that turned 1-year-old October 29, helped Tourtillotte heal from a serious back injury.

“I wouldn't be walking today if it weren't for that pool. I'd be in a wheelchair,” she said. “I like the nice warm water, and the ramp and railings,” she said.

“The Y has been very good to me,” the Boothbay Harbor woman said. So when executive director Andy Hamblett asked her to head up this year's drive, “I couldn't say no,” she said.

Late last month, Tourtillotte was still writing thank you letters for the hundreds of donations that had been received. She said she writes a different message on each one to personalize it as much as possible for that donor. “I'm old-school,” she said.

Most donations are $100 or less, but others have ranged from $2 to $10,000, Hamblett said. The final several weeks are generally good ones for the campaign. He encouraged people to consider donating. “It's an opportunity to be part of our success,” he said.

Membership has climbed 13 percent from October 2011 to October 2012. Hamblett and Y spokeswoman Meagan Hamblett attributed the rise to both the new aquatic center and the introduction of Membership for All, their new, income-based membership program. Monthly rates are now based on gross household income, Meagan Hamblett said.

The Y still offers scholarships for those who need additional help, Hamblett said.

Susan Johns can be reached at 844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.