•  The NSYMCA staff volunteered to help hungry children overseas by packing food for the Feeding My Starving Children organization for MLK Day of Service.
• The Y collected food donations for Northfield Food Pantry.
• NSYMCA expanded their recycling program to give back to our planet.
• The NSYMCA partnered with Two Kisses, Two Hugs to deliver warm smiles and toys to Children at Advocate Children's Hospital.
• The NSYMCA partnered with the Northbrook Library for Little Free Library Story-time to kids.
• For several times every summer, the NSYMCA campers and staff prepare and donate lunches to children at the Glenview Youth Services. This not only involves our members with their donations, but it teaches the campers about social responsibility and giving back to others.
• The NSYMCA created Wheels vs Wheels, a high energy wheelchair football game encourages children and adults to participate in activities and overcome disabilities. Our Partnership with Journey of Hope, Northwestern Football , Griffins Youth Football, GLASA, and By Your Side- Autism Services allowed to make this all happen.
• The NSYMCA works with our partner Toys "R" US of Highland Park to provide toys to our community including, Northbrook Civic Foundation, One Step Oncology Camp for children, and many other organizations throughout Chicagoland.

• In response to the Floods to communities along the Des Plaines River, we collected school supplies to those communities and those of lower income who cannot afford it.
• In 2017, the NSYMCA honored our military veterans and heroes of 9/11 with the raising of a new flag and several community projects alongside the partnership of the American Legion, USO, and Lowe's of Northbrook.
• NSYMCA worked together with Alzheimer's association to reeducate and raise money for alzheimer's.
• The NSYMCA stated the annual Giving Tuesday - Give Back and donated thousands of toys to a dozen charitable organizations throughout our broad service area.

• The NSYMCA collected vases for Random Acts of Flowers, who redistributes recycled flowers, improves the emotional health and well-being of individuals in health care facilities
• NSYMCA hosted the "Monarch Maniacs" in helping to distribute & educate the community on Monarch butterflies & the importance of milkweed
• The NSYMCA supported Northbrook's proclamation, "Make Northbrook a Monarch Way Station" by planting milkweed in our own veggie & pollinator gardens
• In 2019, the Y partnered with Eco- cell https://www.eco-cell.com/ to collect & recycle small electronics like cell phones, tablets, ipods etc to keep them out of the landfill while conserving species
• In 2019, we introduced our clothes, shoes & textile recycling program with USAgain. In July alone we collected 469 pounds of textiles, saved 1,125,600 gallons of water, 3yds of landfill space saved, and 7,035 pounds of CO2 prevented from emission.
• Our facility has also partnered with Terracycle to keep toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss containers, GoGoSqueeze pouches, chips bags as well as, hair care, skin care & cosmetic product packaging out of the landfill.
• Muller Subaru in Highland Park & their "Subaru loves the Earth" program has generously donated prepaid "zero-waste boxes" so that we can also recycle coffee cups, coffee lids, straws, K-cup capsules, candy & snack wrappers in our specialized bins. Check out their youtube video here

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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