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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – The Albany Area YMCA has opened its doors for essential workers’ kids.

As the state is opening back up, many people are starting to look for childcare services.

CEO Dan Gillan said each child and their parents are asked health questions and have their temperature taken before they enter the building.

Dear Friends,

#GivingTuesdayNow is an opportunity for people around the world to stand together in unity – to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal.

During this time of crisis, the Albany Area YMCA is working with community partners to support our neighbors and meet urgent and essential needs in our community, and we need your help to continue these efforts.

With the help of our generous Y supporters, including many of you reading this message, we continue to do everything we can to serve as a source of hope and stability in our communities. A few examples of this important work include:

• One weeks’ worth of boxed meals, produce and dairy products served to over 1300 families
• Childcare for essential workers at both our Central Albany branch and our Y.E.S. Easter Seals location
• Outdoor Fitness classes offered to support a safe, gradual, and measured reopening
 

We are thankful to play a role in serving those around us and provide resources for families and neighbors to get through these unique times in a healthy way. We can’t do any of this without you!

Many neighbors have stepped forward with a gift to sustain the Y and those we serve during this time. If you have already made a donation, thank you!

Any additional gifts are welcome and needed more than ever to keep our mission moving forward. Your ongoing support is a critical investment in helping us meet evolving needs within our local communities and sustaining our valued staff. Your gift will also assist the Y as our community begins the tough work of recovery in the time ahead.

Please join us in giving back through the Y by participating in Giving Tuesday Now.

Respectfully,

Dan Gillan

President & CEO

We are all ready to get back to work. But, for your employees or customers returning to a safe environment is very important. Their peace of mind is essential to the success of your business during times like these.

Click Here to learn more

By Madison McClung| April 15, 2020 at 4:16 PM EDT – Updated April 15 at 4:16 PM

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Hundreds of cars lined up on Palmyra Road in Albany on Wednesday to get free food.

Around 350 families were fed Wednesday during the Albany Area YCMA’s food distribution at Easter Seals.

CEO Dan Gillan said it is heartwarming to know they are helping families that are in need right now.

“It is heartbreaking that so many people need food but it is heartwarming to be able to play this role in our community,” said Gillan.

The food was provided by Feeding the Valley Food Bank in Albany.

Gillan said they are trying to have a food distribution every Wednesday for the community because of the need in the community right now.

“There is no price tag on being able to help people. When they say ‘thank you,’ when they say ‘God bless you’ in this time of uncertainty and challenge, it is an amazing feeling to be a part of that effort,” said Gillan.

Gillan said he wants to thank his YMCA workers and volunteers that are helping give back to the community by helping give these families food.

“It is so amazing to work with people who have that same heart for this beautiful community we call home,” said Gillan.

Gillan wants to make sure the community knows that we will get through these hard times.

“We will get through this. We have gotten through many things in the past and we will get through this. Remain positive, to know that there is a high power, to know we’re blessed with the holy spirit every single day with health to be able to do these things,” said Gillan.

During these uncertain and unfamiliar times with the COVID-19 Coronavirus, one of our members is not only continuing to stay active while at home but is including his family.

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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – South Georgia game wardens trained for water survival at the Albany YMCA Sports Park Monday.

Around 25 game wardens with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources learned how to survive dangerous situations that can come up on the waterways they patrol.

The training includes scenarios like search and rescue and even encountering a potentially dangerous suspect.

DNR Cpl. Scott Carroll said the training could help save not only the game wardens’ lives, but yours as well.

“This is more specifically designated and oriented to an officer surviving a traumatic event in the water, if he should go in the water, to either save his own life or somebody else that’s in the water,” Cpl. Carroll explained.

Day one of training wrapped up around 5 p.m. Monday.

The game wardens planned to return for the final day of training Tuesday morning.