Clarksville YMCA brings Christmas cheer to St. Bethlehem students | PHOTOS

St. Bethlehem Elementary School students with the YMCA child-care program celebrate Christmas with a surprise party.

By K. Dawn Rutledge

YMCA of Middle Tennessee

December 15, 2022 11:19 am

Clarksville NowThe Clarksville YMCA celebrates Christmas with students in their child-care program during a party at St. Bethlehem Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

CLARKSVILLE, TN – As part of the Clarksville YMCA’s child care programs in 18 Clarksville-Montgomery schools, YMCA volunteers created an extra special experience to celebrate Christmas with the children at St. Bethlehem Elementary School, which houses one of the YMCA’s childcare sites.

Wednesday afternoon, Clarksville YMCA Board members and other volunteers transformed the school’s gymnasium into a winter wonderland complete with gifts, healthy snacks and fun volunteer-led activities for 26 students. Santa Claus and one of his elves were also at the school to meet the children.

The Clarksville YMCA celebrates Christmas with students in their child-care program during a party at St. Bethlehem Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

“We are in these schools every day before and after school,” said Julie Sistrunk, chief development officer for the YMCA. “We transform the gymnasiums into YMCA learning centers, and the kids are safe and cared for and learning while their parents are still at work.” She added that the event at St. Bethlehem was a surprise Christmas party for the children to give them a joyous experience after school.

In addition, the YMCA is giving all 704 families enrolled in its 18 childcare programs a free holiday pass to the Clarksville Family YMCA center so they can enjoy family time together over the Christmas break and begin the new year with a healthy start. The Clarksville Family YMCA currently serves over 11,500 members who come to the Y to improve their health and wellbeing in spirit, mind and body.

This year, in response to the critical need for quality, affordable childcare, the YMCA expanded its before- and after-school childcare from 14 to 18 Clarksville-Montgomery County schools. Through the generosity of the community, the YMCA gives away $160,000 in financial assistance to ensure programs are available to all families regardless of their ability to pay full program fees.

Programming includes enrichment programs for children such as reading, STEM, art/music, physical activity and healthy food. The YMCA also expanded its food program in response to growing food insecurities and, today, is serving over 40,000 healthy meals and snacks to Clarksville-Montgomery County children annually.

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