Messages of Gratitude from Our WSYMCA Giving Tree Families

The holidays shine a little brighter when a community comes together with generosity and care. Each year, the WSYMCA Giving Tree brings our mission to life by strengthening our community and ensuring families feel supported during a season that can be challenging for many. 

In this post, we are honored to share messages of thanks from families who received support through the WSYMCA Giving Tree. We are also deeply grateful to everyone who gave gifts this year. Your generosity helps fulfill the Y’s commitment to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy families, and supporting neighbors when they need it most. These messages reflect more than gifts exchanged. They are reminders of the hope, dignity, and sense of belonging that are at the heart of the YMCA mission. 

“Participating in the Giving Tree program is deeply meaningful to me and my family. As a single parent, I do my best to provide for my children, but the holidays can be especially challenging. The Giving Tree brings a sense of relief and hope, reminding us that we are not alone and that there are kind people who truly care. It allows me to create special memories for my children that I might not otherwise be able to give them. This program not only brightens our holiday but also teaches my kids the importance of kindness, gratitude, and community. It means so much to us to know that others are willing to help make our season a little brighter.” 

“With increasing prices and being a single mom, the Giving Tree always ensures my girls have a magical holiday season.” 

“It helps me provide a nice gift that I cannot afford on my own. I am a single mother, working full time as a teacher assistant at a public high school, and do not receive child support, or any type of government assistance.” 

“De ante mano les doy las gracias por su gran ayuda en esta navidad, mis niños están muy felices y ansioso porque llegue lo Navidad a nuestro hogar. Es de mucha alegría para mi como madre; y pido a Dios que bendiga sus hogares por tener ese gran generosidad de ayudarnos en esta momento que estamos pasando económicamente difícil. Les deseo una feliz navidad y nuevo año muy prospero. Dios les bendiga.” 

"I thank you in advance for your great help this Christmas. My children are very happy and excited for Christmas to arrive in our home. It brings me great joy as a mother, and I pray to God to bless your homes for having such generosity in helping us during this financially difficult time. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. God bless you." 

“Me and my son are very thankful to participate in the Giving Tree program because I, as a single mother, cannot afford to get him Christmas gifts. He’s a smart and sweet boy who deserves the best. I love to see his happy face every time he opens a box received by the YMCA. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity and for making families happy during the holidays.” 

“Participating in the Giving Tree is always a blessing for my family and extremely meaningful this time of year. As a single mother of two, it truly makes a difference, especially since my father is recovering from cancer and I’ve had to be a caregiver. It’s been hard on us, but especially my son. Next month, I will be going for surgery and will be out of work for a time, so I am very grateful for this.” 

“This program is such a blessing to me and my fam. I’m a single mom of 3 living paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet in this expensive economy. Every little bit helps and greatly appreciated. Just want to create memories and see them happy with the little we have so this definitely helps lighten the load. Thank you so much.” 

“A single mother of 4 struggling with mental health while trying to maintain being a mother and unemployed and keep my kids happy and safe- it will mean the world to me to make them happy and smile even when I can’t really afford to do so. Thank you so much.” 

“We participated last year for the first time, and it was so helpful for my family and me. We are a low-income family and we just appreciate the help and support we can get. Our kids were able to use the clothes and sneakers for school and for a special event. We want to thank the YMCA and the families for the help that was given to my children and me.” 

“Every year the YMCA has helped me and has been a gift. I’m a single mother of three children which isn’t easy to keep up with bills and extracurricular activities. They keep growing and need more- I’m grateful. Thank you.” 

“I am the single guardian of two boys. I lost my part time job recently and I am having difficulty finding a replacement job. Receiving gifts for Christmas helps by taking the financial burden stress off me. The boys will be excited for Christmas. Thank you.” 

“The Giving Tree helps me as a single parent enjoy the holiday time with my daughter rather that spending the extra time working to provide more gifts. It takes the added pressure off of me during the holiday season, because I know the Giving Tree will be able to help me with a gift for my daughter. Thank you!” 

“This is a great help to all families right now when we don’t have many financial resources it helps us to have gifts for our children. Thank you.” 

“Thank you for the gifts you gave us, as it is a great blessing.” 

“I wasn’t aware of the Giving Tree Program and so glad that the West Suburban Y remembered my family! Being able to participate in the program means so much because your generosity gives us a chance to still have Christmas in our home. Thank you for making a difference. WE are truly appreciative.” 

“With continued inflation, making a memorable Christmas is once again a challenge. Any little bit of help goes a long way for me as a single parent.” 

“Last year was incredible. It was our first year participating. Some wonderful generous family chose us and really went above and beyond to make our Christmas special. They bought so many beautiful gifts for both of us. My son was so excited for his presents. Seeing him glow Christmas morning was everything to me as a mom. And I was even more shocked at the generosity shown towards me. I received an amazing hiking water backpack which has been used countless times throughout the year during bonding hikes with my son. It made our holiday so magical, and we are so appreciative.” 

“It means so much to me as a mother to see my son happy this Christmas. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible. God Bless you.” 

“This program is amazing. I started to tell my husband about it this year, and he was in tears. He never understood the Giving Tree, he said. But he understands now. It puts the magic back in it for us, not having to worry so much especially at this time of the year. We appreciate this immensely. Love you all!” 

“It makes our holiday special and memorable.” 

“As a foster family, we have a lot of unexpected expenses throughout the year. This past year, a third child joined our family through foster care. As a single mom, it makes a big difference to have help over the holidays. Unfortunately, this month our basement also flooded, so with that added expense this year’s support makes all the difference. Thank you for such a wonderful program!” 

Together, these messages remind us of what the Y is all about: neighbors showing up for neighbors, and a community strengthened by care and compassion. Thank you to everyone who gave to the Giving Tree and helped make the season brighter for families in our community.