QUINCY, MA – For over 25 years, thousands of local families struggling with financial difficulties and food insecurity have turned to the South Shore YMCA Holiday Assistance Program seeking warm clothing, holiday meals, and gifts for their families.
This year, working with a team of Y members and staff, volunteers, and partnering organizations such as Meditech, State Street, Quirk Auto, Arbella Insurance, Burgin Platner and Company, and many others, the Y collected thousands of donated toys and gifts from the community to be sorted and prepared for distribution at the South Shore YMCA “North Pole,” a donated space obtained through the help of The City of Quincy and Mayor Thomas Koch.
“We are extremely grateful to Mayor Koch and the City of Quincy for making our North Pole space possible,” said South Shore YMCA President & CEO, Paul Gorman, who toured the space with Mayor Koch on December 16. “Our Y could not do this incredible amount of work to serve so many local families without the help of our volunteers, donors, partners and, of course, the support of Mayor Koch.”
Non-profits such as the YMCA are serving more people than in the past years as many are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic.
“Both the need and the generosity continue to grow,” said Mary Orne, Vice President of Development at South Shore YMCA. “Our Y members, donors and partners stepped up to meet the need. We were so impressed by the number of people who wanted to give, volunteer and get involved.”
This season, the South Shore YMCA Holiday Assistance Program has served over 700 children and their families, providing holiday gifts, winter coats, and YMCA Gifts of Opportunity, such as free YMCA swim lessons, day camp and other Y programs, offering children a chance to thrive in the new year.
“It takes a whole community to care and come together to make this outpouring of support happen, ensuring that all families can experience the magic of the holidays,” said Orne. “We would like to thank our Y members, this year’s volunteers, and our Holiday Assistance Program Coordinator, Cameron Blanks, who led the charge along with the support of South Shore YMCA Development Director, Kathy Quigley, our SSYMCA Germantown Neighborhood Center Coordinator, Sandy Bouchard, and Joshua Esquivel, the SSYMCA Germantown Neighborhood Center Community Outreach Director.”
To support the South Shore YMCA Gift of Opportunity Program or Food Pantry beyond the holiday season and into the new year, learn more or donate online at www.ssymca.org/holidayhelp.
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a leading charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
HELP MAKE THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY
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