Rotary Club of Innsbrook, YMCA mark more than 20 years of partnership

, and Citizen Staff Reports

September 11, 2024 . 3:37 PM

1 min read

For more than two decades, the Rotary Club of Innsbrook has been a key partner in the YMCA's Bright Beginnings program, ensuring children in need have the tools to start the school year with confidence.

Bright Beginnings began in the early 2000s when Mary Theobold, a Tuckahoe YMCA board member, wondered if there were families in need of help preparing their kids for school. A YMCA director then spoke to the Innsbrook Rotary Club, and her presentation inspired club members to pass the hat -- raising $1,300 on the spot.

On the Saturday before Labor Day, Rotary members, YMCA staff, and volunteers met at Walmart to shop for 13 children, providing them with clothes, backpacks, and school supplies. The event was capped off with a treat of hot dogs and a photo for each child and volunteer.

Bright Beginnings went on to become an annual tradition, adding volunteers from other Rotary Clubs and companies such as Philip Morris and Bank of America. Today the Rotary Club of Innsbrook sponsors hundreds of children each year and exemplifies what community organizations can achieve when they work together with a shared purpose. Members volunteer countless hours to make the experience memorable and ensure that every child can walk into school ready to learn and grow.

“Our partnership with the Rotary Club of Innsbrook has been invaluable," said Jaime McClure, regional vice president at YMCA of Greater Richmond. "Together, we’re not just meeting immediate needs; we’re building a brighter future for these children and our entire community."

For many children, a Bright Beginnings shopping trip is their first chance to experience the excitement of owning new school supplies, from clothes and shoes to notebooks and backpacks.

“We’re not just preparing kids for school; we’re giving them confidence and reminding them they matter,” said Lisa Hollier, a Rotary member with a passion for the program. “The joy on their faces when they leave with their new items is absolutely priceless.”