NBJ PR Wire

YMCA to unite underprivileged youth, "mystery Santas" at Christmas party

Release Date: December 14, 2006

Wal-Mart's support helps YMCA Giving Tree impact 500 children

LAS VEGAS, December 14, 2006-On Sunday, December 17, the YMCA of Southern Nevada will unite
underprivileged youth from the YMCA and several area nonprofit organizations with their "mystery Santas" community members who purchased presents from the children’s wish lists—during a private Christmas partyscheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane.

Guests will share a Christmas dinner and enjoy entertainment from local performers. Members of the media are invited to attend. Sunday's celebration marks the culmination of YMCA Giving Tree, a month-long communitywide mobilization organized by YMCA of Southern Nevada and Wal-Mart to provide 500 underprivileged youth with Christmas gifts.

According to Mike Lubbe, YMCA President and CEO, thanks to Wal-Mart’s support, this year’s event will serve five times the number of youth as in past years. Prior to this year, the YMCA organized the event on its own.

"Wal-Mart's support enabled us to extend our reach into many pockets of the valley and turn our historically modest gift drive into an incredible community effort," Lubbe said. "Wal-Mart employees' hard work and cooperation demonstrated their Christmas spirit and community spirit. On behalf of the hundreds of families who will have a happier holiday season because of YMCA Giving Tree, we extend our gratitude to Wal-Mart and all those who participated."

From the day after Thanksgiving through early December, Christmas trees on display at more than a dozen Wal-Mart stores throughout the valley were decorated with ornaments bearing children’s wish lists. Trees were also on display at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA and the Durango Hills Community Center, operated by YMCA of Southern Nevada.

Wal-Mart employees, customers and YMCA supporters selected ornaments from the trees and purchased gifts in preparation for Sunday’s festivities. To fulfill its mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities, the YMCA involved numerous youth-serving nonprofit organizations in the effort. They include: 100 Academy, Olive Crest, Easter Seals, Boys & Girls Town, Safe Nest, New Genesis, West Care, Fresh Start Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Parent City Wide, Goshen
Coalition, Best Coalition plus Andre Agassi Prep, Casa Rosa, Judith Villas and several CCSD schools.

In addition to embracing YMCA Giving Tree, Wal-Mart provided sizable donations throughout 2006 to the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign, a scholarship fund that ensures no one is turned away from the YMCA because of an inability to pay.

The YMCA of Southern Nevada is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. The Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane, and Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, serve more than 47,000 Southern Nevadans each year. To learn more, call 702-877-YMCA or visit www.lasvegasymca.org.

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