Volunteers give kids new space at Lake Co. YMCA

Volunteers from UBS Financial Services and the Lake County Family YMCA spent five hours sprucing up the after-school room at the Northern Lake Y Nov. 12.

Eighteen volunteers from UBS along with four volunteers from the Y transformed the room at 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan. The room previously had a small play structure, white walls and not much furniture. Used for about 40 children daily, the room now is bright and cheery with a turquoise wall and another wall painted in chalkboard paint as suggested by the UBS volunteers.

There's even a Dr. Seuss quote painted on the wall: “From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.”

UBS donated five computers, 100 books in Spanish, plus shelving that now divides the room into a homework area and an area for healthy snacks.

“It's groups of volunteers like UBS that help make the Y so successful. We count on our volunteers to help us make such a positive impact on the families and communities we serve,” said Lake County Family YMCA President & CEO Lynda Chott.

For more information about volunteer projects or volunteering in general at the Y, call Special Events Coordinator Makayla Cansler at (847) 996-6321.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan.