Spreading Love: the YMCA of Orange County Collects Holiday Gifts for Neighbors in Need

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - Nov. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Orange County, CA – On Monday, November 10^th, 2014, the YMCA of Orange County will launch their annual Holiday Care Bag Gift Collection.  Donations of gifts will be collected at all YMCA fitness and childcare locations across Orange County through December 5^th.

The Y will distribute these Christmas Care bags to homeless and low-income families and senior citizens across Orange County. Items being collected include blankets, games, lotion, puzzle books, journals, and more. Service learning is an essential part of the YMCA’s mission, vision, and values. The Y is a powerful ally and advocate for the communities – their experience, strong relationships and presence in neighborhoods across Orange County mean that they can offer support for those in need as well as opportunities to give back. “Even a simple gift such as a Care Bag can make an enormous impact on someone’s life,” said Jeff McBride, President of the YMCA of Orange County.

To learn more about the project and see how you can donate, click here: http://ymcaoc.org/downloads/social_responsibility/ao_holiday_care_bag.pdf

Drop off locations include:

YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY - ymcaoc.org

FULLERTON FAMILY YMCA - ymcaoc.org/fn

HUNTINGTON BEACH FAMILY YMCA - ymcaoc.org/hb

LAGUNA NIGUEL FAMILY YMCA - ymcaoc.org/ln

MISSION VIEJO FAMILY YMCA - ymcaoc.org/mv

NEWPORT-MESA FAMILY YMCA - ymcaoc.org/nm

SANTA ANA FAMILY YMCA - ymcaoc.org/sa

Or to find the nearest childcare center drop locations, visit ymcaoc.org/asc

Jack Salseda, Director of Operations at the Santa Ana Family YMCA had this to say about last year’s Holiday Care event: “Today at the Senior Center I was reminded of exactly why I came to work for the YMCA. Having the opportunity to minister, care for, and be of service to people in need, as well as seeing how the simple acts of kindness can effect others was a great feeling to have, and a great representation of the Y and our mission, vision and values.”

To view a slideshow of last year’s Holiday Care event, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63XcnHDGN18.



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, Yorba Linda, 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 Promise – 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