President & CEO, West End YMCA

For more than 20 years, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service has encouraged individuals to volunteer their time to improve their communities.

As we look ahead to Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, the spirit of community service can help heal our differences through a common cause - giving back and strengthening the places where we live, work and play.

Here at the West End YMCA we’re encouraging everyone to use this day as a call to action to get involved - in large or small ways - to make our communities better.

Volunteering can take a back seat to other obligations and priorities. In fact, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, volunteering has seen a decline in the United States; only 24.9 percent of American adults volunteered in 2015, the lowest rate since the government began collecting this data 14 years ago.

Here in San Bernardino County, the West End Y relies on over 300 volunteers to do everything from serve on our boards and committees, to teach kids in our afterschool programs. Each of our volunteers’ selflessness and willingness to roll up their sleeves to give back helps improve the lives of thousands of kids, adults and families.

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, find a program or organization that is meaningful to you and give a call. You’ll be glad you did. We’re grateful for every one of our Yvolunteers and we hope you’ll join their ranks.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the West End YMCA, please contact Mike Greco at mike.greco@WEymca.org.

Bill and Wags donates to YMCA

Bill and Wags in donated $1,200 to the Ontario-Montclair YMCA. The donation will support the YMCA’s afterschool programs in Ontario and Montclair allowing children to learn new skills and develop friendships and practice Healthy Living.