Blessing Box to help local families in need
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Beaty Builders Club member Alliesun Woodin, surrounded by fellow club members, checks out the interior of the Blessing Box at the Warren County YMCA.
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Members of the Beaty Builders Club gather around the Blessing Box at the Warren County YMCA. Pictured (front, from left) are: Lelia Barmes, Sophia Hall, Alliesun Woodin, Harper Barone, Isaac Zapel, and Eden Chapple; and (back) Laken Carroll, Carissa Smith, Annika Wyman, Emma Sproveri, Natalie Smith, Builders Club Advisor Megan Yeager, Lincoln Olsen, and YMCA Family and Youth Sports Coordinator Andrew Papalia.
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Beaty Builders Club member Alliesun Woodin, surrounded by fellow club members, checks out the interior of the Blessing Box at the Warren County YMCA.
Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Members of the Beaty Builders Club gather around the Blessing Box at the Warren County YMCA. Pictured (front, from left) are: Lelia Barmes, Sophia Hall, Alliesun Woodin, Harper Barone, Isaac Zapel, and Eden Chapple; and (back) Laken Carroll, Carissa Smith, Annika Wyman, Emma Sproveri, Natalie Smith, Builders Club Advisor Megan Yeager, Lincoln Olsen, and YMCA Family and Youth Sports Coordinator Andrew Papalia.
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Sometimes, a family just needs a little help… a blessing.
The Warren County YMCA and the Kiwanis Beaty Builders Club got together to help make sure those who need a blessing can find one.
The Blessing Box is up and ready to help at the Elm Street entrance to the YMCA parking lot.
"We're filling it with non-perishable foods, hygiene products, baby products," Youth and Family Sports Coordinator Andrew Papalia said. "The goal is to try to help out any needy families in the community."
He said he hopes to be able to make some formula available to those who need a little to get them through until they can find more.
The box is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Anyone who is struggling to make it during the posted hours can contact Papalia at the YMCA and make other arrangements.
"No questions," Papalia said. "Help yourself. If you need something and we have it, it's yours."
To help keep the box stocked, "we are accepting donations at the front desk," Papalia said.
Being involved in the Blessing Box was just the kind of project the Builders Club likes to take on.
From writing cards to nursing home residents to collecting money and socks for veterans and writing positive messages to students who are going through standardized testing, the club takes an active and encouraging role.
"The kids are very involved with the public," Advisor Megan Yeager said. "They love to do anything and everything they can to help others."
And they especially like helping out at the YMCA, she said. "The kids are just so giving."