LEWISTON — The YWCA of Central Maine keeps finding rescuers.

The Lewiston agency has surpassed $300,000 in donations since its stay-alive-or-close fundraiser began only three weeks ago, said Lee Young, president of the local YWCA Board of Directors.

Donations have been both large and small.

“People have said, ‘I am going to the maximum of my ability to give,’” Young said. For some that has meant donating a precious $500. For others, it has been much more.

Among the new donors is an anonymous benefactor who has given $50,000 and promised another $50,000 when the YWCA reaches the $450,000 mark.

“That’s huge,” said Young, the former mayor of Auburn. “And I don’t know who it is.”

Donors have already surpassed a challenge to Maine women made by Priscilla Gendron of Lewiston.

Women alone have donated more than $100,000, completing Gendron’s challenge and her promise of $50,000 if the milestone is met.

Dolard “Del” Gendron, who gave $50,000 to the effort on Aug. 23, said his wife is eager to write the check.

Meanwhile, he has been visiting small businesses in an effort to boost donations. He has left stamped donation envelopes with every business on Sabattus Street and has begun to work the length of Lisbon Street.

Gendron worries that if too many milestones are met, the fundraiser might fizzle before its ultimate $1 million goal is met.

“Tell the businesspeople I’m coming,” Gendron said.

The $1 million would solve the agency’s money woes, say its leaders.

The YWCA of Central Maine has been on shaky financial ground for nearly a decade. It’s endowment was spent years ago, and tough times have led to debt and deferred maintenance.

On Aug. 19, Young and Executive Director Pam Gallant announced that the YWCA would close its doors, ending nearly 40 years of operation at its current location.

The agency owed $565,000 on its mortgage and $150,000 in unpaid bills, the majority for heating and repairs.

Four days later, Young took back the closure at a press conference. With the Gendrons sitting at her side, she announced the agency’s intent to stay open permanently and the start of a $1 million fundraiser.

The money would pay off all of the debt and fund repairs to the building to improve its energy efficiency.

So far, donations have been going into a newly created bank account and the board has begun to pay down bills, Young said.

Meanwhile, the YWCA is getting busier.

First-timers are coming in and old-timers are coming back, Gallant said.

“We’ve definitely had an increase in membership,” she said.

A growing group is also volunteering to lend a hand. Last week, as the pool was closed for annual maintenance, the group scrubbed walls and floors in the locker rooms.

The past three weeks have left Gallant and Young extraordinarily thankful, they said.

“There are wonderful people in this community,” Young said. “With their help, we’re making progress.”

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