North Suburban YMCA, on Dec. 19, was given a shopping cart of wrapped holiday gifts thanks to its partnership with Target in Glenview.
According to a news release, target Glenview chose the NSYMCA for their annual giveback, The Great Giftogether.
Target’s, The Great Giftogether, started as an idea in 2022 and now runs in over 2000 Target stores nationwide. Kiki Gulsvig, Executive Leader of Human Resources and Cassie Gomez, Human Resource Expert at the Target Glenview, contacted the NSYMCA back in November requesting to adopt some families who are on their financial assistance program at the Y and surprise them with gifts to put under their tree for the holidays. the release said.
The gifts were personalized based on the recipients sizes, hobbies and Interests. Gifts included toys, apparel, home goods, bath and spa items for mom, tools for dad and more, according to the release.
One of the favorite items wrapped in a giant Holiday Bag was an extra large 24-inchPink Panda Squishmellow which was on an 8-year-old’s wish list. The families chosen were asked to provide a “Santa List” of their most wanted gifts and needs. With shopping list in hand, all wishes were granted thanks to the Target Elves, the release said.
“We are thrilled to give back this year to families at the North Suburban YMCA,” Kiki Gulsvig said in the release. “We have always valued our partnership with the Y and when we were given the chance to help families in need, we knew we could help some of the families . . . the holidays are about giving back and we wanted to help make this year a bit easier for families struggling day to day in our community.”
According to the release, NSYMCA’s Community Strong financial assistance program helps people of all ages, especially underserved youth and seniors, attend life-changing programs at the Y. One out of five or 20% of the participants at the Y receive some sort of financial assistance. No one is turned away at the NSYMCA regardless of their ability to pay, therefore over $500k is needed in charitable dollars to provide programs like camp, sports, dance, child care, special needs classes, life saving swim lessons and senior wellness classes. One out of five participants at the Y are on some sort of financial assistance.
“Target has been a wonderful partner to our Y for many years and we are very grateful that they chose our families to help this year,” Kim Nyren, Director of Community Investment at the NSYMCA, said. “Without the support of local businesses like Target, we could not do what we do for our community and families, allowing us to help the ones that need us most this time of year.”
To help families in your community and by making a monetary donation please visit Give 2023 | North Suburban YMCA (nsymca.org) or call 847-272-7250.