YMCA Offers Relief Care To Kids Of Essential Workers: Coronavirus

TAMPA BAY, FL — Florida Blue is joining YMCA members to help the YMCAs of the Tampa Bay meet a critical need in the Greater Tampa Bay area during these unprecedented times.

Florida Blue is providing a $100,000 gift to help the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg offer all-day youth relief care for essential workers at 21 Y locations across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando counties.

“The health and well-being of our communities is our top priority right now. We are grateful for the healthcare workers, emergency responders and other essential staff who are on the front lines combating COVID-19,” said David Pizzo, Florida Blue Market president, West Florida. “We commend the efforts of the YMCAs of Tampa Bay to provide these vital members of our community with an affordable, safe and supportive location for their children while they are fulfilling critical work to keep our communities healthy.”

“This gift, along with the generosity of our valued YMCA members choosing to donate their monthly membership fees to help the Y continue our charitable work, has enabled us to offer this program at a low weekly fee that equates to $10 a day,” said Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA President & CEO Matt Mitchell, representing one of three Y associations participating in the collaborative effort.

“As we use our Y facilities to serve essential workers who are playing important roles combating the coronavirus, we sincerely thank Florida Blue, and all our members who are staying with us to help support our charitable mission during this health crisis,” says Mitchell “The Y continues to bear some heavy financial losses as we continue to provide this care during this challenging time. At this crucial moment, when our communities need us more than ever, we appreciate the continued support of our members and community partners.”

Starting Monday, March 30, for $50 a week, qualified employees can register at the following links:

In Hillsborough and East Pasco counties, qualified employees register here.

In West Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus counties, qualified employees can register here.

In St. Petersburg, qualified employees can register here.

Dates are: March 30 to April 3, April 6 to 10, April 13-17, April 20-24, April 27-May 1 and May 4 to 8 from 6:30 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There is limited enrollment at these sites:

• Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA, 110 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, 813-229-9622
• Bob Sierra North Tampa YMCA Youth & Family Center, 4015 Ragg Road, Tampa, 813-269-9404
• Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico, 813-684-1371
• East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills, 813-780-9622
• New Tampa Family YMCA, 16221 Compton Drive, Tampa, 813-866-9622
• North Brandon Family YMCA, 3097 S. Kingsway Road, Seffner, 813-685-5402
• Northwest Hillsborough Family YMCA, 8950 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-249-8510
• Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place, Plant City, 813-757-6677
• South Tampa Family YMCA, 4411 S. Himes Ave., Tampa, 813-839-0210
• Spurlino Family YMCA at Big Bend Road, 9650 Old Big Bend Road, Gibsonton, 813-436-5890
• YMCA Camp Cristina, 9840 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview, 813-677-8400
• Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA, 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Highway, Lecanto, 352-5009622
• Clearwater YMCA, 1005 S. Highland Ave., Clearwater, 727-461-9622
• James P. Gills Family YMCA, 8411 Photonics Drive, Trinity, 727-375-9622
• Greater Palm Harbor YMCA, 1600 16th St., Palm Harbor, 727-787-9622
• Hernando County YMCA, 1300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, 352-688-9622
• North Pinellas YMCA, 4550 Village Center Drive, Palm Harbor, 727-772-9622
• Greater Ridgecrest YMCA, 1801 119th St. N., Largo, 727-559-0500
• Jim & Healther Gills YMCA, 3200 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-328-9622
• Bardmoor YMCA, 8495 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, 727-394-9622
• YMCA at Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-895-9622, ext. 4102/