Skaneateles YMCA announces blood drive, #GivingTuesdayNow
The Skaneateles & Auburn YMCA are continuing our service to our community with a ARC Blood Drive. There is a national blood shortage, and our YMCA is positioned to help.
The YMCA is proud to partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive in its gym on Wednesday, May 5 between 10 and 3 p.m.
Donations are by appointment only.
Please sign up and reserve your time slot at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive the Red Cross will manage screening protocols and our Y will manage facility controls to ensure a safe environment for all.
Also on May 5, as part of the global day of giving #GivingTuesdayNow, YMCAs across New York State will join together to showcase how they are staying “Open For Good” to meet the needs of their community during the COVID-19 crisis.
Since the organization’s beginning in the United States in 1851, the Y has always adapted to meet community needs, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been no different. When the COVID-19 crisis began, businesses and buildings across the state were forced to close. YMCA buildings were no exception. But as a community leader, and provider of essential services, New York’s YMCAs have remained “Open for Good”.
“When businesses were shut down, the impact on YMCAs was immediately felt,” explained Kyle Stewart, executive director of the Alliance of New York State YMCAs.
While our buildings may be closed to our members, the Y continues to provide critical services to communities throughout the state. The Auburn & Skaneateles Y’s are adapting by providing health and wellness opportunities for adults and seniors through our virtual Y, continuing to support our preschool students, hosting a blood drive, and actively engaging with members.
“I am incredibly proud of the way that our YMCAs in New York State have stepped up to support their communities during this difficult time, despite having significant challenges of their own,” Stewart said. “Now, we’re hoping that communities throughout our state will support us, so that we can continue providing essential services during this pandemic, and also ensure that we’re able to serve our communities as we reopen and recover.”
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world. At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together.
“YMCAs are a charitable, nonprofit force for good,” said Stewart. “#GivingTuesdayNow gives us all the chance to showcase how we bring diverse communities together to help our community heal.”
On #GivingTuesdayNow, you can support the Ys across New York, and in your community, by ymcaforgood.org.
