Local YMCA urges support during ‘Giving Tuesday’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2020 at 10:35 am

Orleans County Y offers virtual programs during pandemic

MEDINA – The Orleans County YMCA is part of a state-wide effort today with #GivingTuesdayNow.

“We’ve seen a tremendous spike in requests for services and financial support since our community closed,” said Rob Walker, GLOW YMCA.  “Now, we’re hoping that communities throughout our state will support us, so that we can continue providing essential services during this pandemic, and also ensure that we’re able to serve our communities as we reopen and recover.”

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity as an emergency response to the unprecedented challenges caused by Covid-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world. At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together.

The Orleans County YMCA is looking to bring back part-time employees who have been furloughed and to partner with other local agencies to serve the community, said Greg Reed, the Y director.

Although the Y building on Pearl Street in Medina is currently closed to the public, the Y is primarily offering our services virtually with offering complimentary access to Fitness On Demand.

“In addition, we are publishing daily family activities on our Facebook page coupled with our community resources page on our GLOW website,” Reed said. “We partnered with the Medina school district to use our site for dispersing breakfast and lunches.”

The Y was also willing to provide emergency childcare for essential workers for people working in the Medina and Lyndonville school districts, but a survey showed there wasn’t enough demand to support opening an emergency childcare center.

“However, we are willing and able to launch a site if, and when, this becomes a need in the community,” Reed said.

The Y has received a loan through the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program and is looking forward to bringing more employees back to work, Reed said.

“With bringing employees back, we are looking to partner with other organizations that are doing good, critical work at this time,” Reed said.

The Y will also soon be launching a virtual program session of GirlStrong through the Y’s Facebook Page that will “meet up” two to three times per week over the next 7 weeks.

The Y staff from the Three year old Preschool Program at Lyndonville Schools also has been active engaging students through Marco Polo with daily instruction and mailing out arts and crafts projects, Reed said.

“I am so proud of that team and the initiative they have taken to make lemonade out of lemons,” he said.

To support the Y on Giving Tuesday, visit www.ymcaforgood.org.

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