North Suburban YMCA Donates 3,250 Face Masks

Through the generous support of a grant provided by the YMCA of the USA, the North Suburban YMCA received several thousand face masks to assist in meeting CDC and IDPH guidelines. However, given the Y community’s tremendous compliance with masks, the NSYMCA has not depleted its inventory as quickly as anticipated. Thus, while many schools and facilities are struggling with providing PPE, the Y donated a total of 3,250 masks: 1,500 to Wheeling School District 21, which serves 7 Title 1 schools; 1,000 to Curt’s Café, a Lake County agency focused on improving the lives of young adults living in at-risk situations; and 750 to the WINGS Program, a local agency supporting victims of domestic violence and displaced families.

“We’re proud that the NSYMCA can respond to our community’s most pressing needs like providing the masks while working for positive social change,” commented Tara Wesselink, the NSYMCA’s Social Responsibility & Sustainability Coordinator.

Tabitha Nelson, In-Kind Program Donations Supervisor for WINGS agreed saying, “We are so blessed to have the NSYMCA support our organization. Our families are very vulnerable when they come to us and these masks will go to over 700 clients which will be distributed to our safe homes and our shared homes in the area. Donations like this will help make them feel a little safer in this world.” WINGS serves the Northwestern suburbs and provides housing, integrated services, education and advocacy to end domestic violence.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc, the reopening of local schools requires masking policies for all students to be in place to limit the spread of the disease. “We were so appreciative when the NSYMCA called us to donate masks to our school district. We just began bringing students back to in-person learning, so the timing was perfect. The 1,500 cloth masks will help keep our students safe and ensure families have a reusable resource available to prepare their students to attend school in person. The Y has brought so many levels of support to our families in Wheeling and we're thrilled to continue our partnership,” stated Kara Beach, Communications Specialist from Wheeling School District 21.

The NSYMCA’s 2020 social responsibility accomplishments have been one of the most significant years to date. As soon as the shelter in place order was in effect, the Y community banded together to help its neighbors stay connected, healthy, and engaged. These include: partnering with the Red Cross to host critical blood drives, collecting food donations through its partnership with the Northfield Township Food Pantry and Hunger Free Northbrook, distributing electronics to seniors in need, making well checks on seniors and other community members, partnering with local senior centers to utilize the “Brighten Someone’s Day” initiative, providing free virtual exercise classes, and maintaining crucial online programs for adults including the Caregiver Support Group, Brain Games, and the Social Networking Club.

For more information about the North Suburban YMCA, visit www.nsymca.org