In a poll conducted last summer by “60 Minutes” and “Vanity Fair,” nearly half the respondents chose Wal-Mart as the institution that best symbolizes America today.

If a nation is happy being regarded primarily for its capitalism, if it thinks humanity is best served through the financial profit motive, then the Wal-Mart symbol works. But many believe that we, The United States of America, have a more noble calling.

We are to be all that our founding fathers envisioned, a true republic – a “commonwealth” or “commonweal” – the archaic term used by our founders and meaning “for the public good.” If that is the case, then the YMCA of America would be an ideal icon to move us forward – onward and upward on our evolutionary path.

Together, the nation’s 2,686 YMCAs, working to meet the health and human services needs – the commonweal – of over 20 million men, women and children, make up the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America.

YMCA originally stood for Young Men’s Christian Association but part of the genius of the organization is its ability to adapt to meet the needs of the communities it serves, so it has been years since YMCAs were only for “young Christian men.” Y’s are for all people of all faiths, races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, abilities and incomes.

From its inception in 1876, the YMCA of Greater Seattle has been committed to opening its doors to everyone regardless of income or life circumstances, to nurture future leaders and create connections among diverse groups.

YMCAs focus on healthy lifestyles and character development – caring, sharing, honesty and responsibility. Children and youth gain positive values and deepen their commitment to service and their motivation to learn. Families build stronger bonds, spend time together and become more engaged with their communities. Individuals – young and old – strengthen their physical, mental and spiritual well being.

Tiny tots to senior citizens – all are well-served at the Y. The YMCA is the nation’s largest provider of child care with nearly 10,000 child-care sites across the country providing high quality, affordable care to more than 500,000 children and a visit to your neighborhood Y will impress you by the number of vigorous oldsters working out and socializing there.

Politically attuned preacher, famed philosopher and Protestant theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr who lived from 1892-1971, reportedly felt more at home at YMCAs than in many of the churches that considered him too controversial. Niebuhr is recognized as the author of the Serenity Prayer, adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous.

During the month of February we have an opportunity to pitch in and help the YMCAs of Greater Seattle extend their benefits. More than a quarter of their members and program participants require financial assistance and the Y continues to receive more and more requests for help. Today’s financial challenges and the increasing complexity of daily life make YMCA programs more important than ever before

The annual Partners With Youth campaign which the Y runs through the month of February, will raise much-needed funds for kids and families who desperately need the services the YMCA provides but who cannot afford the full cost.

Contributions to this iconic organization can provide a lifeline to a working parent for whom the YMCA’s child care is invaluable in difficult times, to a teenager on the verge of violence, or to a septuagenarian, octogenarian, even a nonagenarian striving to stave off impediments of age. The YMCA provides a safe and dependable place to be strong, healthy and successful.

A contribution to the Partners With Youth Campaign is an investment in our shared future. A total of 95 cents of every dollar contributed to the YMCA of Greater Seattle goes directly to their local programs and services – a remarkable achievement and one reason the organization is ranked among the top tier of charities nationally. Helping the YMCA meet their 2010 goal of $4,570,000 will mean that thousands of our kids and families will be able to develop to their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body.

So – shop at Wal-Mart. Give capitalism a boost. But, how about also supporting one of our nation’s finest developers of tomorrow’s leaders? Contact your area’s YMCA. Contribute to Partners With Youth. Do yourself another a favor; join the Y. Build yourself a better body, mind and spirit. You won’t regret it. Guaranteed.

’Lyn Fleury Lambert is a longtime member of Bellevue’s old Lake Heights Family Y and present participant at the new Coal Creek Family YMCA.