Dear friends,
I wanted to take a moment to update you on our Y’s status due to the gas emergency that has impacted so many of our friends and families in our region.
Most importantly, I hope everyone is safe and if you have been displaced from your homes and not able to yet return, please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
I am happy to report that gas service has been restored at the Andover/North Andover and Lawrence YMCAs and both branches are now fully functional. The Methuen Branch was not impacted directly by this event; so the branch continues to operate with normal hours and programming with no limitations to the facility.
We are working to support the community as much as possible. Our Cause is to Strengthen Community and to always have our Y serve as a convener when community issues or crises arise.
- Our Andover/North Andover and Lawrence YMCAs are currently open to all in the community who need a place to take a warm shower, check in with friends or get some exercise.
- Our Food Pantry at the Lawrence Y will be open on Thursday, September 20th from 4:00-6:00pm
I also wanted to share that Fuddruckers of North Andover provided 70 meals for the men in our SRO and offered to do more if needed. We had the privilege of making our Lawrence YMCA available to several local shelters, where buses of people were brought over to our Y and able to shower, grab a snack and receive a place to relax in our Intergenerational Room.
Relating to this crisis and on an ongoing basis we are accepting monetary donations to specifically support the Food Pantry. Please check our website for more information relating to this effort.
I want to acknowledge all of our staff for their incredible response not only to the crisis on Thursday but the ensuing days. The quick evacuation of our facilities and the care provided to our children and members and residents was amazing; despite the fact that many of them had the safety of their own families in mind. They truly demonstrated what Cause Driven Leadership is all about!!
Lastly, please share this with any families that we serve or that you know in the community that may be in need.