Operation Holiday Basket – Hiawatha YMCA Community Service Project with Roosevelt High School

UPDATED DECEMBER 21:

Operation Holiday Basket (OHB) has been in existence for 36 years. Gedric Merritt has been fortunate to have his champion volunteer on the front line with him to help assist in coordinating this Operation. This person is a fellow by the name of Freeman “Mac” McInroy. Mac has been a great contributor to the program for 37 years. He is a retired Roosevelt Teacher, Football and Track Coach. Last year we served 300 families in North and South Minneapolis. Mac and Gary Lewis have been long-time supporters of Hiawatha YMCA and the founders of this dynamic community service project. Many families have been impacted by their caring and sharing to feed families in need. Mac’s story is that he wanted to give back to others, because his family was served at a time when they were down on their luck.

The food is distributed to diverse groups of low income families and individuals who are mostly East African and people of color. We also help some people who are disabled and they benefit greatly from this generous opportunity. There are just over 200 volunteers that help in this endeavor; they come from area schools in the south Minneapolis. They support this event by doing food drives within the school and then they transport the items to the Hiawatha YMCA. Ameri-Corp and the Vista program also send volunteers who help support the cause.

The Baskets were assembled on the morning of December 21st, 2007 by volunteers from Roosevelt High school (students and alumni), Ameri-Corps Volunteers, Vista Program Volunteers, Community volunteers and many other volunteers from various organizations and schools. Volunteers form a supply chain from the storage area to the lower level, where the baskets are filled by other volunteers. Completed baskets are then moved to the final staging areas where a donated turkey from Cub Foods in added to complete the process.

The baskets are delivered to the families or they can pick them up from the Hiawatha YMCA on Friday, December 21st, 2007. Baskets that are being picked up will be available starting at 10am and delivery of all other baskets begins at 11.

Did You Know

The YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

A Life Changing Story About Giving Back at the Ridgedale YMCA

A couple of months ago I awarded a scholarship to Harold Stafford. He was a successful attorney, his star still rising, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. After a treatment regimen that included surgery, several courses of chemotherapy, and radiation, he was left with enough brain damage to end his career. Although he’s worked on some fairly strenuous rehabilitation therapies, his memory will never be good enough for him to return to law. He’s been looking for work, but isn’t having much luck.

This morning he stopped at the desk to ask if I had any Financial Assistance clients who needed a bit of help. He’d received a check for $100.00, a gift from a family member, and he wanted to help someone who was struggling, as he’s struggled. He left $20 for Y-Partners. He said that he’s so grateful to have the Y at a price he can afford that he wanted to pass his good fortune along.

Harold is a blessing – when he comes in he’s cheerful, gentle, grateful to be here, and to be alive. It’s enormously inspiring that someone who lives on disability, which is WELL below the poverty level, is willing to give so much. Working with someone like Harold is what makes working at the Y so rewarding!

Your YMCA and Welcome to It!

Welcome to the blog of the Financial Development Department of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Our goal is to give you first-hand stories of how the YMCA changes lives and saves lives through our programs. If you think the YMCA is just a gym and swim, be prepared to think again! And please feel free to share your comments about how your YMCA experiences have changed your life.