Palo Alto Family YMCA Brings Community Members Together This Holiday Season To Help People In Need

Online, December 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - PALO ALTO, CA - Palo Alto Family YMCA announced today its upcoming seasonal community schedule of events and activities that will provide assistance to local organizations and benefit the community. These activities, hosted by the Y, were created in an effort to help people in need and to bring families and friends together. Activities run through mid-December.

"It's been a tough year for many people in the community, and during this special season, the need for even more donations from our community partners is even more critical," said Scott Glissmeyer, Executive Director of the Y. "We hope that our seasonal schedule of community events and activities will bring our local community together to come out and participate in our upcoming events. We want to benefit these important organizations that are working to make a difference for people who need assistance this holiday season."

Palo Alto Family YMCA on Ross Road invites local residents of all ages to participate in a variety of free activities and special events to join family and friends together while benefiting Palo Alto Veterans Hospital and The Family Giving Tree. Now through Dec. 14, the Y will collect gifts for The Family Giving Tree, to provide a present for every child, adult and senior who has asked for one. The giving tree will be displayed in the lobby of the Y with cards attached. If you are interested in sharing a gift, just take one or more cards, purchase the gift listed on the card, and return the unwrapped gift to the Y, with the card attached. The Y also will have blank cards available, for those who prefer to write a check or give a gift card. Last year, 275 gifts were provided by Y members for this effort.

"We are very grateful for the support of the Palo Alto Y in helping us provide happy holiday memories for needy Bay Area children," says David Bratton-Kearns, COO of Family Giving Tree. "Making the Holiday Wish Cards available to the general population is a huge help in furthering our efforts, and we thank the Palo Alto community for its continuing generosity."

On Saturday, Dec. 11, the Holiday Card and Cookie Making Social will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants can create cards to be donated to the patients at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital. Last year more than 100 cards were provided through this event. All card-making supplies will be provided.

For more information on the Y and to RSVP for any of these seasonal activities, contact Diana Turner, Group Wellness Director, at [email protected] or (650) 842-7157.