Community ‘angels’ making spirits bright for 400+ YMCA youth and families

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Pro Con Christmas 2017
Employees of ProCon went all out for the annual YMCA Angel Tree initiative. Courtesy Photo

MANCHESTER, NH  – For the past 20 years The Granite YMCA has worked hard collaborating with community partners and individuals in order to provide Christmas gifts for YMCA families and local children in need.

Every year around Christmas time, the YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown and YMCA of Downtown Manchester feature an Angel Tree. The purpose of the Angel Tree is to provide financial assistance to families, along with YMCA START and YMCA STAY after school program participants, by making sure they receive an extra gift or two during the holiday season. The trees feature ornaments representing an anonymous child and/or family and a few items from their holiday wish list. YMCA members and community members look forward to this time of year when they can select an ornament from the tree and purchase holiday gifts for the listed child.

YMCA START is an achievement gap after school program serving low-income students from the Henry Wilson and Beech Street schools. The program provides a safe, structured after-school environment. YMCA STAY is the only program in Manchester for at-risk middle school students offered at Parkside, Hillside, McLaughlin, and Southside schools. The program provides direct and in-direct services to students who may be struggling in school due to a variety of factors. Services include academic support, mentoring, time management, and healthy behaviors.

From the simple things, such as new clothes and shoes, to making dreams come true with toys such as remote-controlled helicopters and new bikes, The Granite YMCA is proud to announce that more than 400 children this past holiday season benefited from the generosity of more than 30 contributors and YMCA community members.

“We appreciate this more than we could ever say.” said Jessica, a YMCA member who benefitted from this year’s Angel Tree. “I just want all the people involved in making our Christmas amazing to know that I am emotionally overwhelmed with all that has been done for us. For months, I’ve been trying to save up to buy bikes for my three little boys. I can’t believe the generosity and kindness that complete strangers have shown us. We will absolutely be paying this forward. Thank you.”

The Granite YMCA would like to thank all of our generous Y community members and supporters, and extend a very big thank you to our major donors including, but not limited to:

Without the kindness and generosity of our large donors and Y members that choose children from our angel tree, none of this would have been possible. It is because of this support that these children and their families were able to have a holiday to remember and cherish together.


About The Granite YMCA

As one of the state’s longest standing and most enduring non-profits, The Granite YMCA focuses on youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and family strengthening. Across the state, its six branches engage 30,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to improve their health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2017, The Granite YMCA provided financial assistance and free services valued at over $1.63 million to 20,190 individuals. To learn more, please visit www.graniteymca.org.

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