Hunter Edwards, 13, of Adams Township, decorates a holiday cookie at the Reach and Rise program's Christmas event at the YMCA in Butler Thursday. Children in the program received $500 in gifts donated by Target.PHOTOGRAPHY BY Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
YMCA program gets donations
There are a little more than 15 children in the Butler YMCA's Reach and Rise program, which is a free after-school youth mentoring program for ages 6 to 17.
Target was going to donate $250-worth of toys to the Reach and Rise children as a Christmas gift, but according to Jessica Burr, clinical director of Reach and Rise, the company doubled the money after hearing about the efforts of the program.
“Knowing there are so many kids in need around this time, they really wanted to help,” she said. “It is a big deal for (the children).”Officials dropped off the wrapped toys at the Reach and Rise Christmas party Thursday evening. Burr said it was a complete surprise to the children, so they were eager to unwrap the toys.She said she was unsure of everything Target donated to the program, but some toys included Lego sets, arts and crafts sets and Funko Pop figures.
Reach and Rise program director Jessica Burr welcomes everyone to their Christmas event Thursday.
Bentley Scutt, 9, of Butler, gives a goodbye hug to Reach and Rise program director Jessica Burr during their Christmas event Thursday.
Wrapped gifts sit under Christmas trees at the Reach and Rise program's Christmas event at the YMCA in Butler, Pa. on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. Children in the program received $500 in gifts donated by Target. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 12/16/21
Kyrie Scutt, 4, of Butler, waits with her mother Tabitha Scutt at the beginning of the Reach and Rise program's Christmas event at the YMCA in Butler, Pa. on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The event included cookie decorating, ornament making, food, and gifts.
