The East Orange YMCA recently celebrated the holidays in grand fashion at their 7th Annual "Touch of Giving" Celebration. Over 225 people were in attendance as the YMCA hosted this festive event, which included holiday music and dancing, gymnastics, arts and crafts, free food and desert and holiday gifts for 185 children.
"It gives us great pleasure to be able to spread the holiday spirit to people in the communities we serve, which is why I was extremely pleased to see that this event was such a huge successful," said Natalie Tyler, Executive Director of the East Orange YMCA. "Each year we give out more presents and have more children and their families join us, so its great to see this wonderful event growing larger and bringing joy to more and more people. From all of us at the East Orange YMCA, we would like to wish everyone a happy holidays."
The event was catered by Wayne & Jennifer Tyler-Washington, Owners of Touched Bayou Catering and the music was provided by DJ Quasim. The following people and organizations generously donated gifts for Santa to give out to the children: Cotton Funeral Home, Dr. Tonya Cook, Dr. Kenneth King, Nana’s Deli in Livingston, Orange Rotary Club, Toys for Tots and Belleville Fire Department.
Natalie Tyler, Executive Director of the East Orange YMCA, went on to praise her staff and volunteers again after the event, "I am extremely grateful to have the help and support of my wonderful staff that helped make this event such a success. We also want to thank our gracious gift sponsors who helped make this event possible, we are blessed that they can share in the holiday spirit with our YMCA."
The YMCA is the local charity of choice. Financial assistance is available because at the East Orange YMCA no one is turned away due to their inability to pay.
Changing lives in changing times the East Orange YMCA is here for you. For more information about the East Orange YMCA or Holiday Spectacular, please call (973) 673-5588 or visit www.eastorangeymca.org
The East Orange YMCA is a Branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, the largest YMCA in the state of New Jersey, serving over 146,000 members and program participants annually. The mission of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is to enrich the lives of the children, families and communities it serves, through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, in an environment nurturing positive values.
Its five Branch facilities are located in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hardyston and Stillwater, and provide a wide variety of services and activities:
- Quality all-day and after-school childcare, pre-school classes, recreational and enrichment programs e.g. swimming and other sports, arts, computer activities and day and sleep-away camps.
- Programs for adolescents and teens that include sports, parties and club activities.
- Programs for adults and seniors.