The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) recently hosted its annual Holiday Cheer drive, calling on staff, members, donors, and community partners to provide holiday meals, gifts, and coats. Holiday Cheer recipients were invited to one of seven YGBW branches to experience a bit of holiday magic.

Guests were treated to holiday music, snacks, and a holiday shop staffed by YGBW staff members and volunteers. Each family was able to shop for free among a selection of donated gifts and also went home with a meal kit and a retail gift card.

YGBW's Holiday Cheer program provided holiday gifts and meal kits to 788 local families, including 2,359 children, and offered 998 winter coats and 134 bikes and helmets to brighten the holidays.

Coats were provided by the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. Bikes were provided by Giving Bikes Back, and helmets were provided by Nemours Children's Health. Snacks were provided by Herr's, and holiday meal kits and other holiday gift items were donated by YGBW members, staff, and community partners, including businesses and group representatives from AccessLex Institute, STP Investment Services, Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club, Compass Training Solutions, Vanguard, Girl Scout Troop 4932, Constellation Network, and Constellation PowerLabs. YGBW swim teams, youth sports teams, theater families, child care families, and Before and After Care Enrichment families also donated. The community also gave its time, with 155 volunteers joining YGBW staff members.

For more information, visit https://ymcagbw.org/give/holiday-cheer.