COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Hockomock Area YMCA is celebrating families and encouraging the importance of spending quality time together, having fun and being active during National Family Week, Nov. 18-24. The weeklong celebration of families, directed by the Alliance for Children and Families focuses on the idea that children live better lives when their families are strong, and that families are strong when they live in communities that connect them to economic opportunities, social networks and services.
As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y has long provided the support and resources that help families be more healthy, connected and secure. Through such programs as our youth sports leagues, Integration Initiative, Healthy Futures Initiative, monthly family events, and financial assistance program, the Hockomock Area YMCA has helped thousands of families.
“The Hockomock Area YMCA is pleased to join the Alliance for Children and Families in celebrating and lifting up families,” said Erin Brennock, Senior Director of Family Programming, Hockomock Area YMCA. “Strong families are essential to building strong communities. We encourage everyone to focus on their family relationships during National Family Week, either at home or at the Y.”
During National Family Week, the Hockomock Area YMCA will offer many activities at its branches in Franklin, Foxboro and North Attleboro to help encourage families to spend healthy time together. Family week will begin with a Providence Bruins Event on Sunday, November 18th at 3:05PM. Tickets are available for $16 each. (Deadline to purchase tickets is November 9th). For ticket information, please contact Amy Clift at 774.235.2749. On Monday evening, November 19th, each branch will offer a delicious family dinner starting at 6:00PM and will hold a bonfire outside with s’mores for dessert. On Tuesday, November 20th, children are invited to take part in free arts and crafts activities throughout the day. On Wednesday, November 21st, join Hockomock Area YMCA members, non-members and staff at Bass Pro Shop for a serving of trail mix before heading out to the cranberry bogs for an 11:00am family hike. On Thursday, November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day, pick up “leftover” recipes at Hockomock Area YMCA Member Service desks and join in the ‘Extra Helpings’ Family walk starting at 9:00am. On November 23rd, Black Friday, the Hockomock Area YMCA is offering a “Drop & Shop” for children ages 3 to 10 years old so that parents can start preparing for the upcoming holiday season. Sign up now to secure your spot! On that same day, families are invited to see Disney Pixar’s movie “Brave” at 3:30pm at the Orpheum Theatre located at 1 School Street, Foxboro, MA 02035.
In addition, the Franklin, Foxboro and North Attleboro branches will offer the following free family fitness classes the week of November 18th: The Bernon Family branch in Franklin will offer Fit Kids on Monday at 4:00PM and Fitness Mash Up for Cardio Kickboxing on Wednesday at 4:00PM. The Invensys Foxboro Branch will offer Fitness Mash Up for Cardio Kickboxing on Tuesday at 4:00PM and Fit Kids on Wednesday at 4:00PM. The North Attleboro branch will offer Fitness Mash Up for Cardio Kickboxing on Monday at 4:00PM and Family Fit Kids on Tuesday at 4:00PM. On Thanksgiving Day, all branches will be open from 7:00am-11:00am.
During Family Week, please bring non-perishable foods to any of our branches or to the Orpheum Theatre on Friday at 3:30PM to help replenish the local food pantries. Look for our annual Holiday Giving Trees, which will be put up during National Family Week at each Hockomock Area YMCA branch. Families are encouraged to choose a tag and purchase a gift for a child and help support a local family for the upcoming holiday season.
Finally, all children ages 6 to 10 years old are invited to enter the Hockomock Area YMCA “Family is Important” Contest. Entrants must use our entry form and answer the following question in 20 words or less, “I am thankful for my family because…” and to decorate their entry form artistically. 1st place winner will receive 4 movie ticket passes. The winner and the two runner-up winners will receive honorable mention in local newspapers, on the Hockomock Area YMCA Facebook page and on our website. Contest entries will be accepted until 10:00am on November 16th. Winners will be announced on Friday, November 23rd! For more detailed information on the contest and to download the contest entry form, please visit the Hockomock Area YMCA website at www.hockymca.org.
For more information about National Family Week, please contact Erin Brennock at 508-772-1306 or erinb@hockymca.org or visit www.hockymca.org.