YMCA , Uncle Don's Hobbies Team Up for Family Night
Uncle Don’s Hobbies of Palm Desert will be partnering with the Palm Springs YMCA to host a Family Fun Night this Friday, August 21, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Boys and girls who are participants in Palm Springs YMCA summer camp programs will be attending free, along with their parents as a result of Uncle Don’s sponsorship of the event.
The Palm Springs YMCA is located at 3601 E. Mesquite Avenue in Palm Springs, next to Demuth Park.
(NOTE: Attendance is for Palm Springs YMCA summer program participants and is not open to the public.).
Uncle Don’s Hobbies will be donating a model toy car to each child, and YMCA kids and their parents will be invited to participate in a special interactive model building activity. Kevin Koch, owner of Uncle Don’s Hobbies, will be conducting flight and car demonstrations with the latest remote control helicopters, planes, and cars, some of which reach speeds of 40 mph. Kevin, who is the director of a local boy scout troop, will have five scouts serving as volunteers for the evening.
Kids will also be able to play in the YMCA Bounce House.
Prior to model toy demonstrations, a barbecued hot dog dinner will be served to each attendee, also courtesy of Uncle Don’s Hobbies. Every child in attendance will be given a raffle ticket and may choose to “bid” on specific toy prizes.
The evening will conclude with a super prize drawing from a basket of 12-15 toy items with a total retail value of $500.
Uncle Don’s Hobbies has previously worked with the YMCA to create giveaway opportunities for kids and families in need and / or as a reward for children’s good citizenship and creative efforts at camp and other organized activity programs.
“Uncle Don’s Hobbies is excited to collaborate with local non-profits to benefit the valley’s youth” says Kevin. “It’s important to support kids who demonstrate good citizenship and character, both of which comprise the basic foundation of the YMCA.”
Uncle Don’s Hobbies is located at 44250 Town Center Way in Palm Desert. The store is a direct descendent of the original Uncle Don’s Toys which was known as a Palm Springs landmark from 1955 – 1990. For many years, Uncle Don’s attracted a celebrity clientele, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Today, Uncle Don’s Hobbies is still recognized among the top retailers of model toy sets by hobbyists and collectors. More information about Uncle Don’s Hobbies may be obtained by calling the store at 346-8856 or by visiting their website at: www.uncledonshobbies.com.
For more information about Uncle Don’s Hobbies’ partnership with the Family YMCA of the Desert, contact Alison Elsner at 413-5053.
About Family YMCA of the Desert
The Family YMCA is the largest provider of licensed childcare in the valley, with facilities from Palm Springs to Thermal, having celebrated its 25 th Anniversary in the desert in 2007. Nearly 3000 kids and families each day are served at thirty-four sites, with many opportunities in youth and family programming. The primary focus of the Family YMCA is to reinforce caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility while allowing kids to develop social skills, confidence, leadership, and fitness.
The Family YMCA is excited to be part of the national YMCA’s “America on the Move / Activate America” initiative which strives to collaborate with community organizations to help families live healthier lifestyles and focus on health and wellness.
One current showcase program based on the “Activate America” model is the “Y Be Fit” healthy eating and anti-obesity partnership for 50 students at Two Bunch Palms Elementary School in Desert Hot Springs, funded by the Desert Healthcare District and operated by the Family YMCA. Also being integrated into the Y’s national focus on fitness is the “Healthy Family Home” initiative, supported by Eli Lilly & Company, which encourages family members to achieve balance in their lives as well as to make incremental improvements in physical activity and nutritional choices.
During the past three years, special partnerships between the Family YMCA and various local elementary and middle schools within Palm Springs Unified and Desert Sands Unified School Districts were launched to provide free, on-site after school care as part of the state of California’s recently enacted Proposition 49 / After School Education and Safety (ASES) Act.
Programming at both the Palm Desert and the Palm Springs YMCA locations includes after-school care, a fitness center, dance and performing arts, walking and running clubs, graphic arts and computers, basketball and flag football, sports, and fitness, youth and government, karate, gymnastics, senior activities, swimming, and Y Rookies Sports Leagues. The Palm Springs YMCA opened in January, 2004, after transitioning from the Palm Springs Youth Center, and now offers a full variety of programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
The Family YMCA of the Desert conducts an annual fund-raising campaign to support its financial assistance programs, making YMCA activities accessible to everyone. In 2009, the Y’s goal of $440,000 was reached through generous community support. Major YMCA events throughout the year to support programs include: the Desert Bicycle Giveaway, the annual YMCA Golf Tournament, and the Hoedown at Sundown gala.
More than one third of the children participating in the YMCA of the Desert programs receive financial assistance, making community support a vital element in the ability to offer help to kids and their families. No child or family will be denied services because of an inability to pay.
Joseph Hayes (Vice-President, Rabobank) serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Family YMCA of the Desert, and Rob Ballew is the YMCA’s valley-wide Executive Director and C.E.O. Congresswoman Mary Bono (45th district, California) serves as the Honorary Chair.
The Family YMCA of the Desert is one of 2500 YMCA’S nationwide, all of whom work towards building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. For more information please visit: http://www.ymcaofthedesert.org.
The Family YMCA of the Desert has two primary locations:
Palm Desert / Administrative Offices: Palm Springs:
43-930 San Pablo Av. 3601 E. Mesquite Av.
Palm Desert, CA. 92260 Palm Springs, CA. 92264
341-9622-phone 320-6430-phone
For more information regarding YMCA programs, events, fundraising, or volunteer opportunities, please contact Alison Elsner at 320-6430-work, 413-5053-cell, or aelsner@desertymca.org.