YMCA of Greater Brandywine Launches Annual Holiday Cheer Donation Drive to Support Families Across Chester County

(WEST CHESTER, PA) – The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) is launching its annual Holiday Cheer donation drive to bring food, gifts and seasonal items to families in need across Chester County. From November 1 through December 1, community members and organizations can sponsor families in need by purchasing items from YGBW’s curated lists found here. All donations received will be distributed during a registration-only countywide pick-up event on December 4 at all YGBW branches. 

The Holiday Cheer event is one of the many ways YGBW is working to provide essentials to those experiencing financial burdens during the winter months. Each registered household will receive one complete meal kit and one $25 retail gift card. Households will also be invited to a special distribution event on December 4 to select gifts donated from the community, otherwise known as Holiday Shop Kits. Holiday Shop Kit donations are new gift items to provide local children with warmth (e.g. hats, gloves), movement (e.g. kick balls, footballs), creativity (e.g. craft kits, building sets) and family time (e.g. board games, puzzles). 

“Last year, YGBW provided holiday support to more than 900 households and 2,200 children,” said Laura Milazzo Mackiewicz, Director of Volunteer and Civic Engagement at YGBW. “With day-to-day price increases and the expenses of the winter months ahead, this program is in high demand. Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, and shifting our program to an event-based distribution this year, enables us to reach more families.” 

YGBW anticipates supporting 1,000 families and 2,500 children this year. 

Spread Holiday Cheer in Your Community 
Individuals and organizations can support YGBW’s Holiday Cheer event by volunteering on December 4 or by donating household meal kits, gift cards or Holiday Shop Kits for children. More details on donations, volunteering and pledging support can be found here. 

Pledges can also be made by stopping by the YMCA of Greater Brandywine branch locations. Donations must be delivered to YGBW branches by December 1. Items will then be distributed through an appointment-based pick-up event on December 4. 

While registration for families to attend the Holiday Cheer distribution event has closed for this year, families can join the waitlist here. “Our Holiday Cheer program is a beloved annual tradition in Chester County,” shared Mackiewicz. “The community has been very generous in supporting the program with donations in the past, and I am hopeful that we will be able to support even more families this year as we expect the number of families on our Wait List to grow as the season progresses.” 

“The time is now to get involved! Neighbors, coworkers, teammates…everyone can be a part of supporting our community this year through Holiday Cheer at the Y.” 

For more information or to sign up as a sponsor or volunteer, please visit ymcagbw.org/give/holiday-cheer.