YMCA of Central Florida Family Centers to serve as collection sites for OCC shoe boxes
ORLANDO, FL … The YMCA of Central Florida supports Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse annual gift-filled shoe box drive intended to improve the lives of many suffering children overseas. From November 14-21 the YMCA of Central Florida Family Centers will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. In cooperation with Samaritan's Purse, the YMCA is encouraging its members and the community to assemble a shoe box with small toys, toiletries and hard candy, then bring the shoe box to one of the 25 conveniently located YMCA Family Centers accepting shoe boxes. The boxes will be sent to children around the world who live in severe poverty as a result of war or natural disaster. It is a simple act that can change the life of a child.
Why extend a helping hand to children around the world? The YMCA is an international movement that has been meeting needs of communities in over 121 countries for more than 150 years. The partnership with Samaritan’s Purse is a natural connection that encourages the community to act in a Socially Responsible manner and help those vulnerable and unable to help themselves.
To get involved, bring a shoe box to a local YMCA Family Center or attend the Send Off event at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 21 at the Downtown Orlando YMCA Family Center located at 433 N. Mill Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803.
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About the Y
The
YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits committed to strengthening the local communities it serves. It is a diverse organization of men, women and children joined by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Each day 25,000 Central Florida residents are impacted by the Y when a mentor inspires a child, individuals make healthy choices and a community comes together for common good. In 2010, this YMCA Association of over 1,600 employees across 6 Florida counties impacted over 225,000 residents and invested, during a down economy, $10.2 million in its local communities through neighborhood improvement projects. Also, this Y provided $9.2 million in financial assistance to children and families that resulted in lasting personal and social change.
CONTACT:
Amanda Forbes, APR
407-849-0100
[email protected]