Collection points for the YMCA of Orange County reported healthy increases in donations Friday toward the organization's mission to help distribute hundreds of thousands of donated diapers, wipes and baby food and formula to homeless single mothers across the county.
YMCA child-care centers at locations such as Richard Henry Dana Exceptional Needs Facility in Dana Point and San Juan Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano have been among collection points countywide for more than a half-million donated items since the "Essentials for Young Lives" campaign began in 2008 to help HomeAid Orange County and the Children & Families Commission of Orange County. Last year, more than 273,000 infant-care products were collected from individuals and businesses, HomeAid said. This year's goal is to almost double that to 500,000 items.
On Friday at San Juan Elementary, YMCA child-care director Juana Anchiraico held up a large white cardboard box used for collections and said with a big smile that, thanks to more awareness, her center had collected twice as many items this year than last.
The YMCA collection drive began April 11 and ended Friday, but activities are continuing with a YMCA Service Learning Project for young people to research and create community-service projects. That effort began on Global Youth Service Day, April 15, and ends May 15.
"Homeless mothers and their young children are among Orange County's most vulnerable residents," according to Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, honorary chairwoman of the 2011 Essentials for Young Lives campaign. "Ensuring families in crisis have the proper nutrition and basic necessities for their infants and toddlers are community goals we all share."
Vicky Rego-Lipshitz, whose son attends the YMCA Child Care Center at R.H. Dana, remembered her difficulty in buying diapers and decided to do something to help others. Along with donations from 11 co-workers and her employer, TAG Collision Repair Center in San Marcos, she collected enough cash to buy 15 bags of baby supplies at Target, according to Patrick Phanthanusorn, YMCA child-care director at R.H. Dana.
Phanthanusorn said his center collected one bag of diapers last year but now will donate more than 100 baby-care items.
"I love working for the YMCA because of stories like this," Phanthanusorn said. "It's not about the organization, gaining fame or trying to feel good about yourself. It is truly about serving others, helping those in need and bringing others in to join the ride."
YMCA child-care centers at locations such as Richard Henry Dana Exceptional Needs Facility in Dana Point and San Juan Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano have been among collection points countywide for more than a half-million donated items since the "Essentials for Young Lives" campaign began in 2008 to help HomeAid Orange County and the Children & Families Commission of Orange County. Last year, more than 273,000 infant-care products were collected from individuals and businesses, HomeAid said. This year's goal is to almost double that to 500,000 items.
On Friday at San Juan Elementary, YMCA child-care director Juana Anchiraico held up a large white cardboard box used for collections and said with a big smile that, thanks to more awareness, her center had collected twice as many items this year than last.
The YMCA collection drive began April 11 and ended Friday, but activities are continuing with a YMCA Service Learning Project for young people to research and create community-service projects. That effort began on Global Youth Service Day, April 15, and ends May 15.
"Homeless mothers and their young children are among Orange County's most vulnerable residents," according to Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, honorary chairwoman of the 2011 Essentials for Young Lives campaign. "Ensuring families in crisis have the proper nutrition and basic necessities for their infants and toddlers are community goals we all share."
Vicky Rego-Lipshitz, whose son attends the YMCA Child Care Center at R.H. Dana, remembered her difficulty in buying diapers and decided to do something to help others. Along with donations from 11 co-workers and her employer, TAG Collision Repair Center in San Marcos, she collected enough cash to buy 15 bags of baby supplies at Target, according to Patrick Phanthanusorn, YMCA child-care director at R.H. Dana.
Phanthanusorn said his center collected one bag of diapers last year but now will donate more than 100 baby-care items.
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