For over 22 years, the South Shore YMCA has partnered with area businesses, individuals, community leaders, and organizations to identify local children whose families are facing medical or financial struggles and fulfill their holiday wish lists.
Working together with volunteers and staff from businesses like State Street and Meditech, each year the Y appeals to its extended community to join in and adopt families, purchase wish list gifts, or donate dollars to provide swim lessons, Y camp, and membership scholarships to keep kids active and engaged beyond the holiday season.
This week, Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch toured the South Shore YMCA’s “North Pole” headquarters. Donated by the City of Quincy, the Y’s North Pole is where thousands of donated gifts are delivered, sorted, and ultimately distributed to families to place under the tree.
“We would like to thank South Shore YMCA for their continued commitment to the community and for helping to bring some joy to local families in need this season. We were happy to donate the space to organize this wonderful project,” said Thomas P. Koch, Mayor, City of Quincy.
Organizations such as the Quincy Housing Authority and Quincy Fire Department and Police Departments step in each year to assist, introducing local families to the program, running toy drives, and more.
Quincy Housing Authority executive director, James Marathas, and members of the Quincy Police and Fire Departments recently delivered gifts donated to the South Shore YMCA to families in the Germantown neighborhood of Quincy. “This year, the need is greater than ever,” said Marathas. “Families are out of work and having a hard time putting food on the table during the pandemic. This goes a long way. The look of joy and appreciation on their faces is a gift itself.”
“This is one of the most impactful things we do at the Y,” said Paul Gorman, President and CEO of South Shore YMCA. “We are the glue that binds all these people and organizations together to delivery joy to our community.”
Gorman adds that a silver lining of the pandemic is the increased generosity the Y has seen throughout the year, especially during the holidays.
“When the New Year is here, the need for food, warm clothing, and support doesn’t go away,” said Gorman. “Supporting organizations like the Y helps strengthen and serve the community while our neighbors are getting back on their feet. Especially during this pandemic. It is never too late to donate to the Y and continue that good feeling of giving year-round.”
For information on how you can help the South Shore YMCA through donations to their Germantown Neighborhood Center Food Pantry or Y program scholarships for children, visit 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.
