NEWS & UPDATES
the North Attleboro Y

Posted on: Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Operation Backpack

For 7 years, the YMCA Backpack Drive has provided school supplies and backpacks for children in communities across the Hockomock area, filling them with hope for a brighter future as they start the school year. The children in our community need us now more than ever.

Having access to proper supplies is an integral part of a student’s success. Together we work to make sure that kids have the tools they need to start the upcoming school year off right. If you are in a position to help, we will be so grateful. Please donate to the 8th annual Hockomock Area YMCA Backpack Drive.

New supplies and backpacks are requested now through August 4th.

Our goal is to provide 3,000 fully stocked backpacks to students residing in each of the 15 towns served by the Hockomock Y. Community members who would like to sponsor the Backpack Drive are asked to contact Patrick Murphy at 508-643-5262 or patrickm@hockymca.org. Sponsorship levels are varied: click here.

In addition to monetary donations, supplies that are needed include:

• backpacks for students ages 4-18
• colored pencils
• crayons
• binders
• glue sticks
• highlighters
• pencils and pencil cases
• rulers
• scissors
• spiral notebooks
• lunch boxes
• washable markers

A donation of $50 will cover the cost of one fully stocked backpack. Please text HOCKYMCA to 56651 or visit hockymca.org/give to complete a secure monetary donation of any size. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Check out out Amazon wish list today!

AMAZON WISH LIST

Donation bin locations

Items not shipped to us directly from the above Amazon link may be dropped off at collection sites outside Hockomock Area YMCA facilities during normal business hours. If donating at our Mansfield Arts & Education Center, please do so when dropping off or picking up your camper. Otherwise, please contact emilyh@hockymca.org to arrange delivery at the Balcom Street facility.

• If you have a high traffic location and would like to host a bin, please contact backpacks@hockymca.org.
• If you are willing to collect supplies from your neighbors, please use this form to sign up as a drop-off location in your community.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

We are eagerly recruiting volunteers to help sort and stuff backpacks to meet our deadline. Many hands make light work. Adults are welcome to bring their supervised children. Students, you may also plan to bring community service forms for signing. Please sign up at the purple button (above) for your time from the following slots: (7/31) 10am – 12pm or 2pm – 5pm | (8/1) 12pm – 4pm | (8/2) 11am – 1pm or 5pm – 7pm | (8/7) 9am – 12pm or 1pm – 4pm | (8/8) 9am – 12pm | (8/9) 5pm – 7pm or 9am – 12pm | (8/10) 10am – 1pm or 3pm – 6pm | (8/11) 10am – 2pm. Volunteers, you will meet YMCA staff at Amvet School (70 Amvet Blvd, North Attleborough, MA). Contact for any volunteer questions: backpacks@hockymca.org.

Do you or someone you know need a backpack? Contact us today.

Please submit any requests for school supplies by completing this short form click here.

The Backpack Drive is a collaborative effort made possible by the YMCA staff, program participants, partners and neighbors to provide kids the confidence that comes when boys and girls are able to go to school prepared. Thank you in advance for your participation!

SPONSOR THE DRIVE

Posted on: Sunday, July 16th, 2023

Summer Camp Fun, Trips & More

Our summer camps provide a safe place for kids to get away from technology and the stresses of the outside world, allowing them to simply just be kids. We are proud and respectful of the trust parents place in our YMCA. A safe environment for children combined with quality programming is vital in our focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

All camp counselors are trained in first aid, CPR, and child abuse prevention. All staff must sign and comply with our Y’s Code of Conduct and Abuse Prevention Policies. Our Y’s founding core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility are part of everything we do. Our camps give parents peace of mind knowing that their children are participating in safe, technology-free, fun and interactive activities with their peers, face to face, and having the time of their life.

At our camps, kids have the chance to try new things, to develop confidence, and learn new skills. They’ll spend time in the beautiful outdoors while trying archery, rope climbing, planting in the garden, and so much more. They’ll play game favorites like Gaga, Capture the Flag, and Sticks & Arrows and swim daily in our pools. Our campers will receive a swim lesson in the morning, and in the afternoon, they will get to hang out in the pool. Campers in Grades 2-6 will go on local field trips and special guests will visit our younger campers to round out the summer experience. And throughout all of these activities, our campers are creating amazing friendships and memories of the #BestSummerEver.

Our camp offerings range from traditional camps to sports camps, to enrichment camps, teen travel camps and more, for ages 3 through the teen years. To see more details on our camps and what camp would best fit your child, click on the orange “camp offerings” button.

To see what field trips and special guests are planned for our campers, please see below!

We look forward to meeting you and providing your kids with an amazing summer.

CAMP OFFERINGS

Posted on: Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

Swim Team Tryouts

We’re excited to announce short course tryout dates for kids in our community ages 6-18 who want to join the Y’s HAY Lightning Swim Team!

The team will participate in weekly practices and meets during the coming fall and winter, practicing at all Hockomock Y pools. HAY Lightning Swimmers have the chance to build skills and confidence in a caring and supportive team environment. Swim meets will be held throughout the area. Additional details on the team are available here.

Potential team participants should attend (1) of the following tryouts. Please arrive 10 minutes early with your goggles in hand and wearing your swim suit.

Mon. July 31 (6:00 p.m.) at the Foxboro Y
Wed. August 2 (5:30 p.m.) at the Franklin Y
Fri. August 4 (6:00 p.m.) at the Foxboro Y

At the Y, we recognize that youth need positive adult and peer role models, and they need to feel physically and emotionally safe to thrive. Our coaches nurture children along their journey to adulthood, so they can become active, thriving and contributing members of society. And we have a lot of fun!

Our Short Course season runs September to mid-February and is followed by our Long Course season, which runs mid-April to mid-July. Tryouts for long course will be announced as we get closer to April. Please contact haylightning@hockymca.org with any questions. See you on the pool deck!

Posted on: Monday, May 29th, 2023

YMCA Golf Classic

Each year our YMCA is proud to host this golf classic to recognize the achievement of young people in our Leadership Development programs and raise funds for outreach programs that support teens in the 15 communities we serve.

We are pleased to invite you to join us for a great day of golf, for a great cause. This fun event is set for Monday, September 18, 2023 at Maplegate Country Club in Bellingham, Massachusetts.

What a value! In addition to an outstanding round of golf, the event will include continental breakfast, scrumptious food throughout the day, and will conclude with a buffet lunch — all while enjoying the complimentary beverage carts throughout the day and plenty of surprises along the way.

EVENT DETAILS

7:30-8:15am – Check-In & Registration / Continental Breakfast
8:30am – Shotgun start
2:30pm – Lunch / program
 Maplegate Country Club, 160 Maple St, Bellingham, MA

REGISTER NOW

Foursomes are sold out but contact Patrick at 508-643-5262 or patrickm@hockymca.org to join the wait list. Sponsorship opportunities are available. See link below.

How does the Hockomock Y helps kids to get on track and stay on track?

• Teen Centers
• Ropes Challenge Courses
• Leaders Clubs
• Youth and Government Programs
• Teen Transitions and part-time staff development programs designed to teach skills and values needed to make safe decisions

Thank you to those who make this event possible. Your support of Hockomock Area YMCA Teen Programming and Outreach is sincerely appreciated.

Presenting Sponsor: Unic Pro

Sponsorships are welcome. For more information, contact Patrick Murphy at 508-643-5262 or patrickm@hockymca.org.

Posted on: Saturday, May 27th, 2023

Spier Family 5K & Family Day

Join us for a great race and family day!

Sponsored by the Spier Family and in support of our Hockomock Area YMCA Food Access Initiative, the annual 5K that hundreds have come to love (formerly called The Foxboro 5K) returns to our Invensys Foxboro Branch. Join us!

Food insecurity is a growing concern in the region and, to address this, the Hockomock Y provides free food and meals with no questions asked.

This course and the entire morning of activities will make memories for years to come for all ages and abilities. All proceeds will go to feeding our community.

SPIER FAMILY
KINDNESS FOR KIDS 5K
& KIDS RUN + FAMILY DAY

Saturday, June 3, 2023
returning to our Invensys Foxboro Branch

67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro, Massachusetts
»» 5K Race begins at 8:00 a.m. on the streets surrounding the Y
»» Registration available online or on race day (starting at 7:00 a.m.)
»» Kids Fun Run will start at 9:00 a.m. (ages 12 and under)

REGISTER TODAY!

»» Don’t miss the YMCA’s free activities! Family Day will be happening 8:00am-11:00am also at the Foxboro Y!
»» Cost: $25 (5K); Free (but must be registered)
»» The first 200 5K registrants receive a commemorative Kindness for Kids 5K shirt
»» Child Watch at the Foxboro Y will be available during the race.
»» Strollers are also welcome as part of the race.
»» We ask that all runners and event participants consider bringing a non-perishable food item for donation as we work to “Stuff-the-Mobile-Food-Truck” (at check-in) and assist those who need support. We will also collect backpacks and school supplies to get an early start on our annual Backpack Drive efforts.

ABOUT THE DAY

Our excellent 5K race will kick off the Hockomock Y’s Spier Family Kindness for Kids Family Day. What a better way to encourage healthy patterns for the young ones in your life than this: a) arrive early and run or walk the Kindness for Kids 5K, b) check out fun, interactive and educational vendor booths, and then c) cheer on kids in the Kids Fun Run!

For information about becoming a vendor for the family fun day, please email patrickm@hockymca.org.

Questions about the 5K or the overall event, please email nicoleb@hockymca.org.

Posted on: Monday, May 1st, 2023

Summer Classes at Your YMCA

June 19 – August 20

Join us for Summer classes! Fun & Creative Activities for Youth Development are coming soon. Classes are filling up now and will start the week of June 19th. Don’t miss out.

** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW **

Summer Session runs 9 weeks long. We know many families take summer vacations and may go out of town – we understand and want to provide some flexibility. That’s why our summer program rates are only for 7 weeks, instead of 9.

Summer Classes include: Cooking, Dance, Gymnastics, Sports, Swim, STEM, Wellness & more!

Not a Y member? You can join today and save 50% on classes Click Here. The entire community is welcome to participate in our summer classes.

Registration is Open

Also! For information on our day camps, please visit hockymca.org/camp

Posted on: Tuesday, February 28th, 2023

The Spier Family Splash Park Challenge

JOIN THE SPIER FAMILY SPLASH PARK CHALLENGE

We are excited to share Greg and Kathy Spier of Foxborough are issuing a Donor Challenge to the community through the Hockomock Area YMCA. The Spiers and the Spier Family Foundation will match every donation made February 13th through April 15th up to $100,000.

When the Spier Family Splash Park Challenge is met, it will result in $200,000 to fund a new splash park at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Invensys Foxboro Branch located at 67 Mechanic Street. The Spier Family Splash Park will be adjacent to the Y’s existing Spier Family Outdoor Aquatics Center and will add to the YMCA’s portfolio of outdoor activities including a sports court for basketball and pickleball.

PLEASE GIVE NOW AND DOUBLE YOUR GIFT

Ways to Give:

• Donate today and double your gift! Give online hockymca.org/give
• Give by Venmo
• Text HOCKYMCA to 56651
• Visit any Hockomock Area YMCA Member Services Desk and make your gift with a member of our team
• Mail your gift to: Hockomock Area YMCA 300 Elmwood Street North Attleboro, MA 02760 (payable to: Hockomock Area YMCA)

Ground breaking on the Spier Family Splash Park will begin in Spring 2023 with a June completion. The opening is slated to coincide with summer enjoyment by members and campers alike and will provide exciting aquatics experiences that people will not be able to experience elsewhere in Foxboro or the surrounding communities.

The Splash Park project is part of the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Impact Campaign which celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Y is committed to raising $1.5 million for their Impact Campaign and have raised just over $1 million to-date, including Greg and Kathy Spier’s total pledge of $250,000.

“Our YMCA is so grateful for the decades of dedication, passion and support that the Spier Family and the Spier Family Foundation has bestowed upon us. It’s truly incredible,” said Jim Downs, CEO of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “The impact of their generosity can be felt throughout Foxboro and beyond and is truly a ripple effect of support that spreads miles and generations.”

The Spier family’s impact at the Hockomock Y and the local community runs deep. Their legacy at the Hockomock YMCA includes the naming of the indoor and outdoor aquatics centers at the Y’s Invensys Foxboro Branch, along with Greg and Kathy’s parents, Sonja and the late Alex Spier.

The Spier Family’s generosity also includes the Spier Family Splash program which offers free lessons to Foxboro students in grades K-2 to learn to swim, as well as dedicated philanthropic support to other YMCA initiatives including the Reach Out Campaign and Food Access Program. The Spier Family and their foundation sponsors the Y’s Spier Family Kindness for Kids 5K & Family Day, a day that celebrates and reinforces the Y’s focus on healthy living and commitment to raise funds for the Food Access initiative.

“My dad always talked about wanting to leave the world a better place than he found it. That’s why he and my mom, and Kathy and I, are such passionate supporters of the Hockomock Area YMCA,” shared Greg Spier. “We continue to see firsthand the impact our Y provides every day to strengthening families and communities. This splash park will create a safe and fun destination for children and families to create memories that will last a lifetime.”

“Please consider a gift and we will proudly match it, up to $100,000. The challenge will run February 13th through April 15th,” says Kathy Spier. “Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts for making a gift to this exciting project for our YMCA and our community.”

To learn about other ways to support this initiative, please contact Katie Moore at katiem@hockymca.org.