CHILDREN FIRST: Backpack Supplies Drive at the YMCA of Orange County a Huge Success

YMCAOC C.A.R.E.S. Backpack Supplies Drive a huge success thanks to the support from the community and everyone’s generous donations. Over 4000 supplies were collected and 240 kids will start their school year off with tools for success.
 
 
YMCAOC CEO greets mother and son with donated backpack and school supplies
YMCAOC CEO greets mother and son with donated backpack and school supplies
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - Sept. 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Orange County, CA. The YMCA has a long history of helping those in the communities needing support. This summer, they started a new tradition, the C.A.R.E.S Backpack Supplies Drive to help hundreds of elementary-aged kids in their afterschool programs across Orange County. The fundraiser’s goal is to collect new backpacks and school supplies to help the kids start the school year off right with the essentials needed to learn. Donations were collected on August 1-16. Over 4000 supplies were collected and on Wednesday, August 21, 30 volunteers showed up and stuffed 240 backpacks.  Because of the outpouring of support from the community and everyone’s generous donations, 240 kids will start their school year off with tools for success.  All of the extra supplies will go to help even more children at afterschool and child care sites.

“After the fundraiser, a single mother and her son came to us seeking help. She had heard about our Backpack Drive from a friend and wanted to know if we had any extra supplies left for her son. She was a single mother with a part-time job struggling to get her son the necessities he needed to start school off right. I was happy to help and was very glad she reached out to us to share her story. The joy on their faces when they received the school supplies and the fact that we made a small difference in their lives was a great feeling to have. It was a small demonstration of the impact the donations made for all the struggling families out there”, said Jeff McBride, YMCAOC President & CEO.

The YMCA in Orange County has been listening and responding to the communities’ most critical social needs for more than a century. YMCA community service projects like the C.A.R.E.S. backpack drive unite us as a community to provide essential support for those in need, and provide volunteer and giving opportunities accessible to all.

To join the CARES team please contact Erik Rees, Chaplain & Director of CARES at 714-508-7656 or erees@ymcaoc.org. Visit the C.A.R.E.S. page for more info: www.ymcaoc.org/cares.

ABOUT YMCAOC: At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y serves Orange County through six (6) Health & Wellness centers (Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, and Santa Ana) and over 50 Afterschool Program centers. YMCA programs celebrate and honor common values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring by infusing character development into the foundation and practice of all our programs; from youth sports and group exercise classes to parent/child programs and community services– Y programs build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves the entire community. Donations support our scholarship program and Our Commitment – To strive to keep programs open for all. Whether you are looking to get fit, give back, or meet new friends, the Y has something for you! JOIN PLAY GIVE VOLUNTEER www.ymcaoc.org

About C.A.R.E.S.: C.A.R.E.S. is a Christian based program for YMCA staff, members and people in need assisting with practical help (meals, home help, and visits), online resources,  education, workshops and seminars, and one-on-one counselling and life coaching. www.ymcoac.org/cares
End
Source: » Follow
Email:***@ymcaoc.org Email Verified
Tags:Community, Social Responsibility, Community Services, Fundraiser, Ymca
Industry:Non-profit, Education
Location:Orange County - California - United States
Subject:Reports
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
YMCA of Orange County News
Trending
Most Viewed
Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share