When you visit the Boothbay Region YMCA this time of year, you’ll be greeted by a 12-foot Christmas tree that exudes holiday spirit as it transforms the foyer. When the tree is first set into place, it is decorated with colorful tags. They don’t last long. Tags are quickly plucked from the tree by members, visitors, neighbors. Like seeds, these tags grow into wrapped presents that begin to crowd the space under the spruce. In the days leading up to Christmas, the wrapped gifts will be delivered to children throughout our community as a way to spread generosity and kindness.

On Christmas morning, 59 local children will wake to magic under their own tree. They may not recognize it as the magic of strangers giving to others, or a community pulling together to spread joy. They will likely only know the delight of their gifts in a morning filled with delight. And that is enough. For children, it is everything. 

For those of us who give freely to others, we may not see the impact of an act of kindness first-hand, though we all know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of grace and goodwill. An offer of help. A door held open. A laugh when one is needed. Gifts come in many forms. This holiday season the Boothbay Region YMCA is grateful for your gifts to our organization, its members, and the future leaders of our community. We rejoice in our ability to connect people who may otherwise not cross paths, helping you to spread unconditional generosity throughout our region, now and for generations to come.