Boothbay Region YMCA: Catalyst for Common Good

Elves among us

Mon, 10/25/2021 - 10:00am

As a recent year-round resident to the area, I experienced the YMCA Tree of Giving program for the first time last November. At that time, COVID was still raging, vaccinations were not yet available, and the Y had to limit visitors due to social distancing mandates.

In late November, I witnessed people from around the region arriving daily to choose tags from a beautifully decorated tree in the Y’s lobby. Their mission was to help bring the magic of the holidays to local children. And then, by mid-December, festively wrapped gifts came pouring into the Y, filling up the space behind the front desk and spilling over into offices! I was struck by the generosity, but more importantly, I understood that this is is one of the many ways this community comes together for the good of all.

Again this year, the Y is partnering with other non-profits, like Action for Animals, to provide local children with gifts from their personal wish lists. If you or someone you know would like to request an item that is on a child’s wish list, confidential request forms will be in the available in the lobby at the YMCA from Nov. 1 to Nov. 15.

For those generous elves in the community looking to offer a special gift to a child, please choose a tag from the tree in the Y Lobby between Nov. 20 and Dec. 14.

Please wrap your gift and return it with the tag to the Y by Dec. 14. As an alternative to shopping and wrapping, you may choose to make a donation that will be used to purchase any gifts that are not chosen from the tree before the deadline.

Wrapped gifts will be available for families to pick up at front desk at the Y starting on Dec. 19.

The festive spirit of this program is well captured by one local resident who recently shared, "The thing I love about the Tree of Giving is that everyone benefits. We seniors get to enjoy the spirit of the holidays while thinking about a child, and the children get to enjoy a special present!"

Please contact Miri Lyons or me at the Y at 207-633-2855 for any questions regarding our community Tree of Giving. Happy Holiday Season!