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Original article posted on the Telegram & Gazette.

WORCESTER – The two largest gifts ever received by YWCA Central Massachusetts have helped the organization pass the halfway mark in its campaign to raise $7.5 million.

The George I. Alden Trust and the Stoddard Charitable Trust both have committed $1 million each to what YWCA Central Massachusetts calls its LIVE Capital Campaign, the YWCA announced.

The most ambitious fundraising campaign in the organization’s 133-year history recently entered its public phase after raising $4.13 million, 55 percent of its goal, in the campaign’s silent phase, according to the YWCA’s executive director, Linda Cavaioli.

She said nearly 200 private and corporate foundations and individuals have contributed so far.

The $7.5 million capital campaign will help support a planned $24 million renovation of the YWCA’s facility at 1 Salem Square in Worcester. The building has not undergone a major renovation since it opened in 1961.

The chairman of both the George I. Alden Trust and the Stoddard Charitable Trust, Warner Fletcher, said the renovation will contribute to the renaissance taking place downtown.

“The trustees of both Alden and Stoddard felt that this project at this time was more important, perhaps than ever before, to Worcester and therefore was truly worthy of our significant support,” Mr. Fletcher said.