The State Alliance of Rhode Island YMCAs donates $5,000 to the YMCA of Greater Houston’s Support Harvey Relief Efforts. The City of Houston is experiencing unprecedented flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey. Donations to the Y’s Relief Effort will help provide the families and individuals who come to the Houston YMCA with basic needs in this time of crises.

“As part of the State Alliance of Rhode Island YMCAs we stand behind our Houston Y brothers and sisters as they work to rebuild their community,” said Mike Miller, CEO of Newport County YMCA in a news release.

“We are grateful for the support of your YMCAs, and many Ys around the country during this time of great need. Thank you for lifting us up. And, thank you for sharing the donation options with your Y family as well. The support we are receiving is tremendous. But, so are the needs around us,” said Ray Purvis, Senior Vice President for Organizational Advancement of YMCA of Greater Houston in the release.

In addition to the YMCA of Greater Houston providing provisions to those affected by Harvey, they are also creating a safe space for families to send their children during this time of need. The YMCA of Greater Houston will open 10 traditional day camp programs throughout the Houston area from September 5-8 for parents who need childcare and for kids to have some fun and regain a sense of normalcy. At the camps, children will have a chance to participate in sports, swimming, arts and crafts, STEM projects, literacy and build new friendships. The Houston Food Bank will provide breakfast, lunch and snacks.

If you would like to donate to the Support Harvey Relief Effort please text HOUSTON to 91999, or visithttps://www.ymcahouston.org/blog/support-harvey-relief-efforts.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...