This month we are collection items for The Arc. Please drop the following items off at any of our three convenient locations. 

Bingo Prizes:

• Word search and Puzzle Books
• Coloring Books
• Fun Socks
• Stickers
• Puzzles
• Fidget and Sensory Toys
• Costume Jewelry

Craft Supplies:

• Construction paper or card stock
• Craft paint – assorted colors
• Small paint brushes
• Paper plates
• Scissors
• Markers
• Crayons
• Tissue Paper

Personal Care Items:

• Non-Scented Hand Lotion
• Non-Scented/Sensitive Shaving Cream
• Non-Scented Baby Wipes
• Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent

The Arc is dedicated to providing advocacy and services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Their biggest program being their Day Support where they currently serve about 40 individuals on a daily basis. They are located in Lynchburg and serve the counties of Campbell, Bedford, Amherst, and Lynchburg City.

Miriam’s House is a local nonprofit with a mission to end homelessness and rebuild lives. Through comprehensive housing programs, Miriam’s House returns homeless families and individuals to the safety of a home and provides support for them to remain stably housed. 

Wish list items:

• Toilet paper
• Laundry detergent
• Trash bags
• All purpose cleaner
• Dishwashing detergent

YWCA Central Virginia is committed to their mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  They do this through by providing 24/7 access to safe and secluded shelters for victims experiencing domestic violence, by responding to calls to the ER to support victims of sexual assault and providing safe, affordable housing for single women.  They offer additional programs to support prevention and encourage engagement, empowerment, mentorship and advocacy among the youth in our community.  Church Street Bridal is a bridal and formal boutique that serves as the organization's largest fundraiser.  This year they are celebrating 110 years of providing service, key partnerships and their overall commitment to our Central Virginia community. 

Wishlist Items:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Toothbrush/toothpaste (full or travel size)
• Gift cards
• Gas cards
• Shampoo/conditioner (full or travel size)
• Body wash
• Lotion
• Feminine hygiene products
• Lysol wipes
• Deodorant (full or travel size)
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Slides/flip-flops
• Band-Aids and various First Aid items
• Children’s toys
• Twin size bed in a bag
• Dressers
• Twin size bed frame
• Storage bins

Here at the Boys & Girls our mission is to use the Club evidence-based systems to provide a positive, fun, and stable environment for youth that produces winners, leaders, and role models who make a lasting impact within our community.

Items Needed:

• Board games like Monopoly, Life, Sorry, Clue etc..
• Gatorskin Dodge Balls
• Uno or other card games
• Art supplies
• Cookware
• Any Switch games or controllers
• Wii games and controllers and motion for Wii Motion Sensor Plus

High-Quality, Compassionate, Comprehensive Healthcare for the Uninsured and Underinsured

The mission of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia is to ensure high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive healthcare for every member of our community. We fulfill this mission by providing high-quality medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, and health education services to those in Central Virginia who do not have the resources to obtain these essential healthcare services.

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Hand Soap
• Bar Soap
• Body Wash
• Body Lotion
• Body Wipes (Disposable)
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

This month we are partnering with Foster Fuels to expand their annual coat drive. Please bring any gently used, like new, or new coats to one of our three locations and we will ensure these items are cleaned, and local school children via Foster Fuels.

“Every year, we work to provide gently used, clean coats for students and adults in need, in our community.  Last year we collected, cleaned, and distributed 1400 coats to 13 schools in Lynchburg city, Bedford, Campbell, Amherst, and Halifax counties and Charlottesville. In addition to schools, we provided coats to local non-profits to ensure students and adults kept warm during the winter. We will collect them, clean them, and send them back out into the community next fall. Together, we can continue making school a safe environment for our kids.” - Foster Fuels Representative

This month we are collecting canned food items for Rivermont Food Pantry. 

This Rivermont Area Emergency Food Pantry (RAEFP) has been around since the 1990s. "Clients" are referred to the RAEFP through the neighborhood churches and receive food kits.  Six churches fund this program and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church manages the pantry. Families work with Social Services in the Lynchburg and surrounding counties and the food is distributed to individuals and families who need it the most.

Let’s give some love and comfort to those who can’t be home for the holidays. Centra’s “Comfort Care for the Holidays” will bring some joy to those who have to spend the holidays in the hospital. Centra is a partner with the YMCA of Central Virginia and together we make a difference and an impact in our community!

Here are some items on the wishlist that you can donate:

• Reading Glasses (1.0-3.0)
• Toiletry items: deodorants, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, etc.
• Toothpaste/Soft Toothbrushes/Dental Floss
• Denture Cleanser/Adhesive
• Brushes/Combs/Mirrors
• Hair scrunchies
• Dry Shampoo (small)
• Tweezers (sealed packaging)
• Emery Boards
• Chap Stick
• Earplugs
• Eye/Sleep Masks
• Yarn – Adult & Baby
• Adult Coloring Books
• Children’s Coloring Books
• Crayons – all size packs
• Adult Puzzle Books – Large Print (Word Search, Crossword, Sudoku, etc.)
• Inexpensive snack bags that zip
• Stuffed Animals
• Toys/Games for up to age 12
• Journals
• Pens/Pencils
• Bags of Fiber Fill
• Phone Chargers
• Walker Caddies

"Give Back, Do Good" launched in January with the collection and redistribution of coats for Lynchburg City School students. Jay Parker, YMCA of CVA CEO, and Mary Taylor, YMCA of CVA Development Director delivered over 200 coats for kids to Dr. Crystal Edwards and Zebia Christian of Lynchburg City Schools. 

In addition to the coats, we were also able to provide LCS with 200 water bottles for children to ensure safe hydration practices during the pandemic.

During the month of February, the Y collected 64 bags of toiletries for our friends a the Lighthouse. 

The mission of the Lighthouse is to show the Love of Christ to global and local communities by serving in practical ways and providing a dignified environment for spiritual growth. 

During the month of March the Y is collecting socks for Tree of Life Ministries Midtown. 

Midtown services homeless and low income families that do not meet the requirements to qualify for government assistance. Tree of Life Midtown serves approximately 75 families a week. These families are able to come “shop” on Tuesdays at no charge. 

For the month of April we are collecting antibacterial surface wipes, (such as Clorox or Lysol wipes) and Rice Krispy treats for the Jubilee Family Development Center. 

About Jubilee: Jubilee is open year-round and offers many after-school academic/tutoring programs and mentoring programs. Jubilee Family Development Center changes lives. Each day, Jubilee’s staff and volunteers serve as teachers and role models to hundreds of children and young adults who come to Jubilee for tutoring, mentoring, and social support services. Jubilee’s dedication to their success, and the success that these children in turn demonstrate through their academic and personal growth, proves that the knowledge that someone believes in you can generate tremendous pride in oneself.

For the month of May we are collecting 64oz bottles of laundry detergent and paper towels for Parkview Community Mission. 

The mission of Parkview Community Mission is is to restore the lives of families and communities by building relationships and providing life-changing resources. Please come along side the YMCA, and be a force for good by donating to this outstanding community resource. 

Unity in the Seven Hills is a small new thought ministry that serves those affected by food insecurities. The installment of the food pantry was successful, and we have learned that the need for this type of program is more significant than we could have imagined. 

Please consider bringing the following items to the YMCA during June: 

• Canned Proteins
• Boxed Cereal 
• Individually Wrapped Children's Snacks

Thank you to our Y members for your generosity and commitment to a better community for all. 

Located on Halifax Avenue just beyond downtown Lynchburg, Mary Bethune Academy is a non-profit early childhood education center, serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age. We serve the entire Lynchburg community and surrounding areas, with a focus on inner-city, at-risk children and their families. Mary Bethune Academy is proud to be a United Way partner agency and a certified “Success by Six” Center, which focuses on kindergarten readiness for every child. Our dedicated staff of trained teachers, some of whom have been employed at Mary Bethune Academy for over 25 years, work diligently to provide a safe and nurturing childcare experience for everyone.

Please consider bringing the following items to the YMCA for Mary Bethune Academy: 

• Crayola Paints
• Play-Doh and Play-Doh Accessories 
• Crayola Marker Sets 
• Crayola "Larger Crayon" Sets 
• Large bottles of Elmer's Glue

This month the YMCA is collecting necessities for the Lynchburg Humane Society. LHS finds homes for over 4,000 pets each year.  Please drop the items listed below off at any of our convenient locations, and we will deliver the items to the humane society. 

• Purina Cat or Kitten Chow
• Purina Dog or Puppy Chow
• Medium & Large Dog Harnesses
• Kitten/cat canned food (no dyes or fish flavors please)- desperate needs
• Puppy/dog canned food- desperate need!
• Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR)
• Baby food ( Gerber poultry please)
• Towels
• Blankets & Comforters
• Cat & Dog toys
• Kongs
• Peanut Butter (no xylitol)
• Dog & Cat Treats

This month the Y is collecting items for Isaiah 117 House, a national non-profit that helps foster children during the transition from their homes into foster care. We will collect for both girls and boys.

Items Needed:
(Ages Newborn - Five years old)

• New shoes
• New underwear
• New socks
• Pants-new or gently worn
• Shirts-new or gently worn
• Sweaters-new or gently worn
• Diapers-all sizes
• Formula-powder

Isaiah 117 House provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement.

When children are removed from their homes out of the concern for their welfare, they are usually brought to the Department of Social Services Offices to await placement with a foster family. This wait can be several hours to nearly a full day. These children often have nothing with them and are scared, lonely, hungry, and often in dirty clothing.

Isaiah 117 wants to provide a comforting home where these children instead can be brought to wait-a place that is safe with friendly and loving volunteers who provide them clean clothes, smiles, toys, and snuggly blankets. This space will allow children to receive the comfort and care they need while DSS staff are able to the necessary paperwork and identify a good foster placement.

This month we are collecting canned food items for Rivermont Food Pantry. 

This Rivermont Area Emergency Food Pantry (RAEFP) has been around since the 1990s. "Clients" are referred to the RAEFP through the neighborhood churches and receive food kits.  Six churches fund this program and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church manages the pantry. Families work with Social Services in the Lynchburg and surrounding counties and the food is distributed to individuals and families who need it the most

In December we will be collecting space heaters for the Madison House of The Arts.

Madison House of the Arts is a creative space with a mission to uplift our community through art. We meet the community’s needs by listening and offering essential needs and services that improve quality of life. We use the power of art to connect and support our local community.