With rising costs, the holidays can be a stressful time of year for many families.
To provide support to Chester County families, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) recently hosted its annual Holiday Cheer drive, calling on staff, members, donors, and community partners to provide holiday meals, gifts, and coats. Holiday Cheer recipients were invited to one of seven YGBW branches last week to experience a bit of holiday magic.
When entering the gymnasium, guests were treated to holiday music, snacks, and a holiday “shop” staffed by YGBW staff and volunteers. Each family was able to “shop” among a selection of donated gifts that support warmth, movement, and creativity and also went home with a meal kit and a $25 retail gift card to support their household.
“While rooted in celebration, the holiday season brings a lot of pressure,” said Bertram L. Lawson II, President and CEO of YGBW. “Our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to create a welcoming space and joyful experience during a busy and stressful time of year. I’m proud of the way our teams offered Y hospitality at our Holiday Cheer events, from hot chocolate stations to gift wrapping and visits from the North Pole, you could feel the holiday cheer in the air.”
Generosity of Chester County
Thanks to generous support from 943 donors and corporate partners, YGBW’s Holiday Cheer program provided holiday gifts and meal kits in support of 788 local families (2,359 children), along with offering 998 winter coats and 134 bikes and helmets to brighten the holidays.
Coats were provided by the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. Bikes were provided by Giving Bikes Back, and helmets were provided by Nemours Children’s Health.
Snacks were provided by Herr’s and holiday meal kits and other holiday gift items were donated by YGBW members, staff and community partners, including businesses and group representatives from AccessLex Institute, STP Investment Services, Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club, Compass Training Solutions, Vanguard, Girl Scout Troop 4932, Constellation Network, and Constellation PowerLabs, to name just a few. YGBW swim teams, youth sports teams, theater families, childcare families, and Before and After Care Enrichment families gave generously, as well.
Not only did the community give food and gifts, but they also gave their time. 155 volunteers joined YGBW staff in spreading Holiday Cheer, including individuals, corporate volunteers from Teva Pharmaceuticals and AccessLex Institute, and student volunteers from West Chester University and Lincoln University.
“YGBW is a community connector in Chester County, and we are proud to be a place where people can come together to both provide and receive support,” shared Laura Milazzo Mackiewicz, Director of Volunteer and Civic Engagement for YGBW. “Our Holiday Cheer program is the perfect expression of the goodness and spirit that exists in our community. When folks are in need, our community is one that steps up to lend a hand.”
Help is still needed! If you are in a position to give, there are 150 families hoping to receive holiday support this season. $25 retail gift cards can be donated at the Welcome Center at one of seven YGBW branches in Chester County.
Learn more about Holiday Cheer at YGBW here, and learn more about volunteering at YGBW here.
Learn more about the YGBW and how the leading non-profit organization is committed to building community. YGBW strives to nurture the potential of every child, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility through life-changing programs for all.
