•  Feeding the Hungry: Staff volunteered with Feed My Starving Children on MLK Day of Service, packing meals for children in need around the world.
• Food Drive: Collected non-perishable items for the Northfield Food Pantry to support local families.
• Lunches for Kids: NSYMCA campers and staff prepared and donated lunches to children through Glenview Youth Services, engaging youth in hands-on social responsibility.
• Disaster Relief: In response to flooding along the Des Plaines River, the Y organized a school supply drive to assist affected and underserved families.
• Toy Drives: Partnered with Toys “R” Us of Highland Park and other local groups to distribute toys to the Northbrook Civic Foundation, One Step Oncology Camp, and more.
• Give Back on Giving Tuesday: Launched an annual initiative, donating thousands of toys to over a dozen charitable organizations across our service area.

• Recycling Programs:
  • Expanded facility-wide recycling, including clothes, shoes, and textiles through USAgain.
  • Launched electronics recycling to keep phones, tablets, and iPods out of landfills.
  • Introduced TerraCycle stations to recycle hard-to-process waste like toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, chip bags, cosmetic containers, and snack wrappers.
  • Partnered with Muller Subaru of Highland Park and their Subaru Loves the Earth initiative, using prepaid “Zero Waste” boxes to recycle coffee cups, K-cups, candy wrappers, and more.

At the North Suburban YMCA, our commitment to social responsibility extends beyond one-time events—we maintain ongoing initiatives that support our community and our planet. These continuous efforts reflect our dedication to sustainability, compassion, and community well-being.

Holiday Giveback

The North Suburban YMCA's annual Holiday Giveback event is a heartwarming initiative led by its Social Responsibility Committee. This event aims to support individuals experiencing homelessness by collecting essential items for "Blessing Bags" and organizing a volunteer packing event with over 100+ attendees. Throughout November, the Y is gathering items such as baby wipes, socks, toiletries, and snacks to fill these bags, which will then be distributed by the non-profit organization Project I Am. Additionally, monetary donations are welcomed, allowing Y staff to purchase needed items. The goal at our volunteer event is to assemble over 250 Blessing Bags, providing vital support to those in need during the holiday season. This initiative not only offers tangible assistance but also fosters a sense of community and compassion among volunteers and donors. Through partnerships with various organizations, the Y's Social Responsibility Committee extends its impact beyond homelessness, addressing the needs of children by collecting warm clothing for local school nurse stations. This commitment to service reflects the Y's dedication to strengthening families and communities. 

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Community Giveback - Fleece for Fur Babies
 

The North Suburban YMCA's Community Giveback event, Fleece for Fur Babies, brought together local pet lovers of all ages for a heartwarming day of giving back. This annual event, coordinated by the YMCA's Social Responsibility Committee, saw approximately 80 volunteers ranging from 6 to 75 years old. Participants not only crafted handmade pet blankets but also generously donated essential animal supplies such as dog food, newspapers, chew toys, and kitty litter. These donations, along with the handmade blankets, will benefit sheltered animals at Wright-Way Rescue, Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter, and Heartland Animal Shelter.  This event serves as a reminder of the positive impact small acts of kindness can have on both animals and the community at large.\

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