YMCA Shares Holiday Cheer with Toy Donations for Giving Tuesday
Employees of the North Suburban YMCA became Santa's Helpers on November 29, carrying bags filled with toys to a dozen community organizations in recognition of "Giving Tuesday." The toys were provided by Toys "R" Us of Highland Park and ConTech Lighting, as part of the their ongoing support of the Y's programs for children and families.
"When I got the call about the toys I got chills, because this is the perfect thing we needed for the holidays," related Pam Gracyalny, Executive Director of Lake County Cares. "These toys mean so much to make sure all the kids in need in this area will have their own present."
On a day when most non-profits like the Y are focused on soliciting donations for themselves, Y staff members wearing cheery Santa hats delivered large bags of toys to charitable organizations throughout its large north suburban service area. Recipients included Glenview Youth Services, JCYS Northwest Family Center in Buffalo Grove, the Willow House grief counseling center in Riverwoods, and a variety of other groups serving children and families in need. The program was part of Y-USA's nationwide campaign for Ys across the US to champion the #ShareKindness initiative, which aims to inspire 1 million acts of kindness in one month all over the country.
For these organizations, the Y's donation gives a great boost to the holiday support offered to their clients. As Karen Paszkiewicz, Special Events Coordinator at Glenview Youth Services, noted, "We usually give kids boots and coats that are essential, but these toys are welcome extras for the kids in our 175 families to make their holidays bright."
The Y's participation in Giving Tuesday is just one of a series of Social Responsibility initiatives taken by Y employees to give back to the wider community. These monthly projects, launched in February 2016, have encouraged outreach by the Y's staff for a variety of causes. Projects have included sending Valentines to veterans, distributing milkweed plants to support monarch butterfly populations, donating pet supplies to local animal shelters, and collecting extra Halloween candy to send to military troops.
"Social responsibility is a central value of the YMCA's mission," explains Kathy Fielding, Vice President of Member Engagement. "The Y is completely connected to its communities, and we mutually depend upon and support each other. We're lucky to have partners like Toys R Us of Highland Park and others who stand by the Y's programs, and we're delighted to share their generosity with the larger community on Giving Tuesday."
ConTech Lighting, located in Northbrook, enthusiastically volunteered to help sponsor the Giving Tuesday event. "We are so honored to be associated with this amazing toy drive," said Audra Mathison, ConTech's Senior HR Manager. "The Y is doing amazing things for our community and serving as elves in a reverse give-back is truly brilliant. We were thrilled to support them by donating more toys for the cause."
The North Suburban YMCA is a charitable organization that relies on donations to fund its wide variety of life-changing services for individuals and families, which are made available to all in the community regardless of their ability to pay. For information on how to support to the YMCA, contact Adrienne Wright, NSYMCA Senior Director of Development, at awright@nsymca.org or 847 272 7250.
About the North Suburban YMCA
The North Suburban YMCA serves 15 northern suburbs of Chicago, and for over 48 years has provided programs and services that address youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility every day. Working together for good is who we are: An association of people united in a common effort to help individuals become healthier, more connected, and confident. There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y: We have the national and local presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver, positive change, making sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. For more information, visit NSYMCA.org.
About ConTech Lighting
ConTech Lighting of Northbrook, Illinois is an industry leading source for innovative, high-performance, and sustainable lighting solutions. Since our founding in 1980, we are committed to providing the best fixture designs, market expertise, and product support available. That is why we are the lighting manufacturer industry professionals trust to meet their high expectations.