Zimmer Biomet employees collected items such as tissues, crayons, balls and more for the Kosciusko Community YMCA’s kids’ programs and dropped them off on Friday, Dec. 16, at the YMCA’s Parkview Warsaw YMCA location. From left: ZB Supervisors Aaron Mosley and Jared Nutt, KC YMCA Executive Assistant Kelle Bautz, ZB Human Resources Coordinator Angela Krebs, KC YMCA Director of Human Resources Heidi Moseley, Director of Operations Stacy Thomas and Director of Childcare and Inclusive Programming Rachel Hardy and ZB Manager Tyler Wadkins, Supervisors Ken Zortman, Nate Daughenbaugh and Michael Gaunt and Senior Manufacturing Supervisor Cory Krulik. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko Community YMCA’s kids’ programs now have extra supplies thanks to Zimmer Biomet employees.

On Friday, Dec. 16, ZB workers dropped off boxes with items such as tissues, crayons, balls and more to the YMCA’s Parkview Warsaw YMCA location. That follows another donation to Baker Youth Club of Warsaw on Thursday, Dec. 15.

ZB Human Resources Coordinator Angela Krebs said that was due to the kids’ programs helping taking care of employees’ children so they could work.

“We know that just even with … several of the schools being closed this week, you guys really provide an awesome service within the schools and for them to be able to go to school all day and then just walk down the hall to their classroom for after-school care or before school care, it’s stability for the parents, it’s stability for the team members and the supervisors,” she said.

“To know that kids are not going to be left alone, they have snacks, they have people to help with their schoolwork, and games and fun, (and) good role models there” is awesome, said Krebs.

Kosciusko Community YMCA runs programs for Claypool, Eisenhower, Harrison, Jefferson, Leesburg, Lincoln, Washington, Madison and Mentone elementary students at area schools. It also has programs at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA when the schools have cancellations or are on break.

The programs serve around 350 kids.

“We appreciate it. We love what we do and your guys’ support, it really does help us to provide more opportunities for the kids,” said KC YMCA Director of Childcare and Inclusive Programming Rachel Hardy. “They love to stay busy and all of this really does help us provide better care, quality care for the kids and then it really isn’t just babysitting, and they’re continuously learning.”

“I just want to say thank you to you guys for the effort it takes to bring all this stuff together,” added KC YMCA Director of Operations Stacy Thomas.

She explained to InkFreeNews that the donated items allow “for a better atmosphere at (the program) sites.”

“The kids get excited, the staff gets excited and I think more than anything that the material things are excellent, but it (also is recognition for kids’ programs) staff, to let them know people care and see what they’re doing and what they’re doing is important,” said Thomas.

“The staff really (has) a new sense of “Yes, what we’re doing does matter and people do see it (due to the donation),'” said Hardy.

Zortman, left, and ZB Building Technician Carlos Rosas unload boxes at Parkview Warsaw YMCA Friday. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

ZB employees pose with some of the donation boxes at the company’s Building 5. Workers also donated items to Baker Youth Club of Warsaw on Thursday, Dec. 15. Photo provided.