NEWS

MS Gulf Coast YMCA Drug Free Coalition Receives Tobacco Control Grant From The Mississippi State Department Of Health

Jackson, Miss. – The Mississippi Gulf Coast YCMA Drug Free Coalition has received a $38,000 community grant from the Mississippi State Department of Health’s (MSDH) Office of Preventive Health.
Monies from the grant are to be used by the YCMA Drug Free Coalition to prevent tobacco use, encourage tobacco cessation and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke among youth and adults through the Harrison County Smoke Reduction Campaign running through June 30, 2008.
Each year, Mississippi spends $719 million on healthcare costs associated with tobacco use. The goal of MSDH’s Office of Tobacco Control is to improve the health of all Mississippians through the elimination of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
For More Information, Contact:
Brian E. Pearse, YMCA South Mississippi Drug Free Coalition Coordinator
228-374-7781
 

April 25 2008

YMCA Preschoolers Raise Over $500 For St. Jude Children’s Hospital

(Ocean Springs, MS)…Little people can do big things. That is just one of the lessons preschoolers at the Blossman YMCA Preschool Childcare Center learned last week. After a week-long study of riding-toy safety, the children of the Blossman YMCA Preschool Childcare Center held a Trike-A-Thon to demonstrate what they had learned about bike safety. They also wanted to do something to help sick children who may not be able to get out and ride their bikes and trikes. The preschoolers raised just over $500.00 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. ®
On Friday, April 25, from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m., the preschoolers rode their tricycles and other riding toys around their playground. The children who were too little to ride, pushed toys around the track. Participants in the Trike-A-Thon ranged in age from toddlers up to 5 years old.
As they rode, they demonstrated their knowledge of road safety. “You always stop at a stop sign”, quoted Haley Harris, 4 year old daughter of Kem and Jodi Harris of Ocean Springs. And she stopped at every stop sign set up on the course.
The Blossman YMCA Preschool Childcare Center serves children from 13 months to 5 years of age. The Center is directed by CDA accredited childcare professionals with more than 28years of experience. Their goal is to promote social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth of young children through developmentally appropriate experiences while considering individual needs, temperament and learning styles.
To learn more about the Blossman YMCA Preschool Childcare Center, call (228) 875-0152.
 

March 5, 2008

Hank Zuber Given Outstanding Service Award from YMCA Alliance

(Ocean Springs, MS)…..Hank Zuber, member of the Mississippi State House of Representatives, was given an Outstanding Service Award for his dedication and hard work on behalf of YMCAs at a legislative luncheon sponsored by the Statewide Coalition of Mississippi YMCAs on February 21, 2008, in Jackson.
Zuber was honored for his work as a liaison between YMCA staff and State officials and for championing YMCA programs in the legislature. In the arena of Gulf Coast politics, Zuber provides political support as well.
As a long-time active member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA, Zuber stays involved with the YMCA and his community. Zuber serves on the YMCA Board of Directors and provides in-kind legal service to the Y.
“The YMCA appreciates the dedicated service of Hank Zuber, as well as the interest and support shown by our legislators for the children of Mississippi,” said David Keith, Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA Board President.
The Statewide Coalition of Mississippi YMCAs is comprised of representatives from YMCAs located throughout the state. Their purpose is to further the mission of the YMCA by bringing the experience and resources of the separate YMCAs together.
The mission of the YMCA is to serve the community by putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Background: YMCAs nationwide serve 20.1 million people, including 9.7 million children, through a broad range of programs. Mississippi YMCAs serve approximately 135,000 people statewide. No one is turned away from the YMCA for inability to pay. The Mississippi YMCAs gave more than $1.1 million in scholarships providing services to over 2,000 people. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. Financial assistance is available.