QUINCY, MAY 4, 2021 – Nobody knows the struggles that mothers face better than other moms. This is why, for over twenty years, groups of local mothers have worked with the South Shore YMCA’s Germantown Neighborhood Center to host a special Mother’s Day event to show support and gratitude for the vital role moms play in strengthening family and community.
Led by the generosity of longtime Y supporter and board member, Kathie McDonough, this year’s event brought a “ray of sunshine” to 60 Quincy mothers through a family meal and desserts catered by The Chef’s Table in Marshfield. In addition, longtime Y volunteers Melanie Cataldo and Mia Rochte assembled Mother’s Day gift bags, including jewelry and sunglasses donated by Talbots, and gathered volunteers to help distribute meals and gifts.
“For years, the South Shore YMCA Germantown Neighborhood Center has hosted a Mother’s Day Dinner where families in our community can enjoy a meal that moms don’t have to cook themselves,” said Phil Gay, South Shore YMCA Community Outreach Director. “For the past two years, due to COVID-19, we could not gather and share a meal together. So, our volunteers got creative and hosted a curbside pick-up event where we can thank these moms in person and show them how much we care.”
Volunteers Jenny Packard, Karen Fanning, Melanie Cataldo, PJ Bernstein, Amanda Tanburno, and Mia Rochte, all mothers themselves, coordinated this event with the Y because they felt strongly that mothers must support one another within our community.
“COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone,” said volunteer Melanie Cataldo, who helped lead this event. “We know that these moms are working harder than ever to feed their families, educate their kids and keep it all together. We just want them to know that they are truly appreciated.”
“A lot of these moms don’t have support,” said Phil Gay. “This is our way of saying thank you to them, showing them that they are not alone.”
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a leading nonprofit 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.
