Boothbay Region YMCA continues two decades of its Tree of Giving outreach program with 27 families receiving gifts this holiday season. Development Project Manager and Outreach Coordinator Stephanie Tucker said the community has gone above and beyond to help provide its neighbors with a memorable holiday this year, when all have felt the impacts of COVID-19.

“Even people who aren't coming into the Y are calling and emailing and asking how can I donate and how can I support from afar. So, we have a ton of people who have given monetary gifts and all of those funds are going to be spent on the kids as well, so it's going to be a really good holiday this year …”

Businesses and nonprofits have stepped up, giving to the best of their abilities, said Tucker. For example, Sherman’s Books and Stationery donated five cases of Lego and puzzles and Cameron Clan Snack Co. will be providing each family with kettlecorn and a family night out at Food Trucks A-Go.

The Y was surprised more families did not ask to put their wish lists on the Tree this year. Tucker said about as many families applied as last year, and even more had done so in prior years – 36 in 2018. “I was surprised (this year), but we did a pretty good job getting the word out and we always reach out to families who have made requests in the past to make sure we help reduce any barriers to making a memorable (holiday) … The Y is a place that if you reach out and ask for help, we're here to help you. That's one of the reasons why I'm proud to work here.”

Businesses and community members can still come to the Y’s lobby to pluck a wish list tag off the Tree until Dec. 14, said Tucker. Gifts should be wrapped and dropped off with the tag by the end of the day. Families will pick up their gifts starting the Sunday before Christmas.

Said Tucker, “We're all in this situation together, nobody is immune, everybody lost something whether it's time, whether it's an activity they really love, whether it's a loved one. It's been really great to see how it has brought this community together and this is a community that is so caring and thoughtful to begin with. This has brought that to a new level.”

For more information, contact Tucker at stucker@brymca.org or 633-2856, ext. 292.