Spreading Holiday Joy

The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County invites area residents and businesses to help make the holidays brighter for local families in need by supporting its annual gift drive.

Coordinated by the Y’s Counseling and Social Services team, the holiday gift drive helps to ensure that many of the most vulnerable families served by the Y’s behavioral health programs can experience the joy and surprise of the holiday season.

“We recognize that hundreds of our families do not have the means to purchase holiday gifts for their children,” said Y President and CEO Laurie Goganzer. “So, once again, we invite our community to join us in sharing holiday cheer with struggling families of our Counseling and Social Services programs.”

Now through Dec. 2, the Y is seeking gift cards valued at $25, $50 and $100 from Walmart, Target and Amazon/Visa. The gift cards will be given to parents and guardians of children served by the Y, many of whom have special needs, are victims of abuse, neglect or in the foster care system.

“Every family deserves to experience the magic of the holidays,” said LeeAnn Wagner, vice president of the Y’s Counseling and Social Services division. “The gift cards will make it possible for parents and guardians to fulfill children’s wishes by being able to select and buy gifts of their choice.”

In addition to the gift cards, the Y will also be collecting new, unwrapped family games to accompany each gift card distributed. All gifts will be personally delivered by the Counseling and Social Services team, Wagner said.

For over 15 years, the Y’s annual Counseling & Social Services gift drive has supported thousands of area families. In 2021, the nonprofit distributed more than $30,000 in gift cards to over 600 children served by the Y.

“The need only continues to grow as families face rising food and housing costs during these difficult times,” Goganzer said. “We appreciate the community’s continued support to help the Y strengthen families.”

Gift cards may be purchased online or dropped off at one of several YMCA locations during business hours: Bayshore Family Success Center, located at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 State Highway 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737, and wellness branches in Red Bank, Freehold and Old Bridge. Recipients of these generous donations are invited to a special gift-wrapping event hosted by the Y.

More details about the gift drive are available at www.ymcanj.org/GiftDrive. For information on how to access the Y’s behavioral health services visit www.ymcanj.org/css.

About YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is here for all – to empower youth and teens, improve health and strengthen community. Over the past five years, our Y has provided more than $5 million in financial assistance and subsidies to Y participants throughout greater Monmouth County. Our life-changing programs and services are anchored in eight communities: health and wellness facilities in Freehold Township, Old Bridge and Red Bank; an outdoor day camp in Wall; counseling and social service centers in Eatontown, Matawan and Middletown; a childcare center in Freehold Township; and integrated in nearly 100 schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Named a New Jersey Top Workplace 2022 by New Jersey Advance Media, we’re based in Shrewsbury, NJ. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.