You may recall that this past Memorial Day I wrote about a terrific campaign kicked off by Y member and Vietnam Veteran John Votta, who is also a Parkville Y Togetherhood volunteer. The campaign was a drive to collect personal items to be delivered to VA hospitals for those in need of such basic but vital supplies.  The donation drive took place at all 13 of our Y centers with virtually every aspect of the Y community pitching in.  There were kids and Y associates who decorated the collection boxes, Y teen campers who sorted donations, and Y preschool students who made cards for the veterans to accompany the donations. It all culminated during the week of June 25^th with groups of Y volunteers delivering the donations to the VA hospitals and meeting with some of the recipients.
​In total, we collected more than 4,000 items (soap, shampoo, magazines, playing cards, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and more…..)! This was truly an EXCEPTIONAL community service project that underscores what happens when we harness the power of a willing, caring and energetic Y community determined to help those in need.

A big thanks goes out to the following folks:

• Our Y senior advocates who provided leadership throughout
• The Y associates who facilitated the donation box design on Healthy Kids Day
• The Y marketing team for program collateral and social media mentions
• Our Y camp Adventurers and Rangers who sorted and bagged all the donations
• The Y volunteers and associates who helped distribute the donations to our local VA hospitals
• Our community partners who set aside convenient donation drops in their businesses

Extra special thanks once again goes to Y member John Votta as well as Y associates Eric Somerville and Diana Beeson for their enthusiastic leadership of this fantastic effort!

What an uplifting way to start the week!

All the best,

John

John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland