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North Suburban YMCA Asks Community to Donate Locally on Giving Tuesday

As the season of giving officially kicks off, the North Suburban YMCA has announced its Giving Tuesday "Action to Donate" initiative, slated for Dec. 1. Giving Tuesday, established in 2012, is a global generosity movement empowering people and organizations to make a difference in their communities. In an effort to support the 15 communities it serves, donations made directly to the Northbrook-based Y will help fund financial scholarships and free and community programs.

"Making a donation to the NSYMCA today, especially with further mitigations during this second wave of the pandemic, will help ensure that the Y will be here to give back to the community and provide programs and services as well as financial assistance scholarships for generations to come," explained Kathy Fielding, CEO of the North Suburban YMCA.

In addition, the Y may receive more bang from every donation made on Facebook. This year Facebook is hosting a $7M match starting at 7 a.m. Central Time in honor of Giving Tuesday. The first $2M donated to charitable organizations through Facebook will receive a 100% matching gift. The remaining $5M will be matched by Facebook at 10%.

Over the course of 2020, the Y has pivoted its community services and programming to meet local needs in the face of the pandemic and CDC and IDHP health recommendations. This past year the Y has become a collection site for the Northfield Food Pantry in partnership with Hunger Free Northbrook, held several blood drives, collected electronics for isolated seniors, and provided a "Brighten Someone's Day" initiative to connect with them. The Y has also offered flu shot clinics, collected coats for PADs in partnership with the Northbrook Rotary Club, and donated masks to many nonprofits in the community.

"A lot has changed this year, but the Y's mission has remained constant - to be there for our community. The Y needs the community's help to continue to offer critically important services like providing meals and programs for those who don't have the means to afford it, child care for parents who need to work outside the home, and offer outreach to seniors who are feeling isolated," added Fielding.

Recent holiday initiatives include a Virtual Pop-Up Art Show to support the local artist community during the pandemic, and partnering with the Hunger Resource Network (HRN) to support 160 students and their families in the "Adopt a Student and Feed their Family" food drive. With the help of the community, the NSYMCA and HRN are asking residents to collect and donate specific food items purchased at local grocery stories, or purchase and donate gift cards from local restaurants and businesses to the families that need it most.

"The Y is so valuable to the community," said Laurie Jensen, Practice Liaison from Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. "Our partnership with the Y has grown this year by offering virtual webinars, educating the community on important orthopedic and musculoskeletal topics during the pandemic. We are very grateful for their ability to adapt to these extraordinary times and believe they are very important to our community right now."

Programming at the North Suburban YMCA has shifted to offer Remote Learning Days for children with working parents - including a special needs group option, reducing room capacities to 25% , and adapting many programs to virtual programming including the Adult Education Series, Caregiver Support Group, Brain Games, Dance, Fitness, and Art. The Y also created a "Pandemic in the Storm" membership for those who have lost their job as a result of COVID-19. This special membership provides 3 months of continued membership at the Y for no charge.

For more information about the North Suburban YMCA and Giving Tuesday, visit nsymca.org; or email Debbie Madeley, dmadeley@nsymca.org.

About the North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA services Northbrook and 14 surrounding communities with programs and tools that help its residents become healthier, more connected, and confident, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The NSYMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility and is a charitable organization, inclusive and welcoming to all in our community.

Learn more at NSYMCA.org

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