As the temperatures drop, many community rec centers are bringing their members and the greater community the happiness of the holiday season in various ways. This time of year is full of joy and light for many people, but it can be hard for families who don’t have the resources or ability to celebrate.
The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has been helping those people for the past 33 years with the Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas Program. Participating families can choose to receive a live tree delivered to their home, holiday dinner, toys and complimentary services from the Y. This year, the program is helping 425 families and more than 900 children.
“We call it a program because it’s not a one-and-done event for us,” said Michelle Curtis, the chief development officer and vice president of philanthropy at the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg.
The tree delivering day happened on December 2, and volunteers drove 275 trees around the city to participating families. The Y will also have days where parents can come to participating locations and pick out toys for their children.
“What’s unique about the Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas Program is the children don’t know the parents can get toys from us,” said Curtis. “The parents come into our location that’s set up like a toy store, and they can have a shopping trip for their kids. We feel that can empower the adults during a time of year where things can be a bit harder.”
Learn More: Other ways to help your members fight the holiday blues.
The Y’s members help with delivering trees, toy shopping setup, giving monetary and item donations, and more. Outside organizations also make significant monetary and food donations, making the program a true community effort.
“The volunteers who have shown up since the first time we did this program and the support from other organizations is a testament to the power of it,” said Curtis. “It’s an example of the goodness that happens when people who want to do something for others get together. When they see the effect on the people we’re helping, they want to continue to be a part of it.”
Giving back can bring holiday cheer and hope to a part of your community you may not be connected with. Curtis emphasized the impact and power of charity and how it is especially needed during this time of year.
“There’s a lot of pressure on the families we help because of the holiday season,” said Curtis. “The program is really about neighbors helping neighbors at a time when people are really struggling. We’re not doing something crazy or over the top, but we feel that providing the trees, decorations, complimentary YMCA programming and more really helps them.”
Here are other ways community rec centers are giving back to their communities this holiday season:
YMCA at the Athenaeum
Indianapolis, Indiana
For the 24th year, the YMCA at the Athenaeum, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, is hosting their Breakfast with Santa. The event invites children and their families living in temporary housing for a chance to meet Santa, eat a hot meal, pick out gifts and other fun activities.
The event happened on December 9th. Last year, over 350 families and 200 volunteers came together to celebrate Christmas with Santa.
Charlestown Parks and Recreation
Charlestown, Rhode Island
This year, Charlestown Parks and Recreation is spreading holiday cheer to local seniors. They’re encouraging locals to create Christmas cards that will be delivered to local senior homes.
Volunteers have until December 20th to drop off cards so they can be shared in time for Christmas.
Mandel JCC
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
From December 11 to December 14, both Mandel JCC locations will be hosting the Hanukkah Festival of Food Trucks. Fun activities and attractions for the whole family will be present along with the food trucks.
The event is free admission and open to the entire community. Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for donation which will be collected every day of the festival.
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