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Across the country, the Y helps people give back and assist their neighbors by offering them opportunities to volunteer, advocate and support programs that strengthen the community.

During the YMCA’s fifth annual “Operation Thanksgiving Dinner,” 64 families received nonperishable food items to create a Thanksgiving meal. Fifty-five different individuals and groups helped to supply these boxes and baskets of food.

For Christmas, the Y has partnered with Combined Community Services to provide gifts for eight families with a total of 26 children and will add more as these gifts get donated. Y members and participants will have the opportunity to purchase and wrap different gifts for each child Nov. 29 to Dec. 13. Gifts will then be brought to the Y by Dec. 18 and delivered to the families before Christmas.

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The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. All the efforts and offerings of the Kosciusko Community YMCA are guided by the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Every day, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through October, the Kosciusko Community YMCA has provided $109,335 in financial assistance to make sure that happens.