YMCA Bright Beginnings helps children from low-income families arrive on their first day of school with new clothes and shoes, a new backpack filled with supplies, and a readiness to learn. With your help, YMCA Bright Beginnings will serve over 2,400 children this year throughout the Greater Richmond and Southside areas. Over 25,000 children have benefitted from a YMCA Bright Beginnings experience since the program began in 1992.

Read below about past YMCA Bright Beginnings experiences, the program’s long history and the community support that makes it possible. Then get involved and have your own rewarding YMCA Bright Beginnings experience.

Paying it Forward In 1999, James Babcock went on the first YMCA Bright Beginnings trip for Powhatan County students. Now 22 years old, James remembers his experience and is dedicated to giving back to his community. Learn More >		YMCA Bright Beginnings by the Numbers What will it take to outfit 2,400 children with two pairs of pants/skirts, two shirts/blouses, a sweater or jacket if available, shoes, socks, undergarments and a backpack full of school supplies? More than 3,000 volunteers and several partner organizations will once again come together for this great cause. Learn More >
The Beginning of Bright Beginnings How did one woman’s selfless gift turn into a Richmond tradition? Read how Mary Theobald’s generous offer to shop for several children in need became one of the YMCA of Greater Richmond’s largest community-outreach programs. Learn More >		The Meaning of Bright Beginnings Becky England is an administrative assistant at the Midlothian Family YMCA. For years, Becky has coordinated shopping trips for hundreds of Midlothian students. Read her first-hand account about what the program means to all involved. Learn More >

To make a secure online donation to YMCA Bright Beginnings, click the Donate Now button and select the YMCA Bright Beginnings campaign in the drop down menu on the donation form.  If you would like your gift to serve children from a specific YMCA’s community, select that branch after selecting the campaign.

To mail in your gift, please download the PDF below:

  YMCA Bright Beginnings Remit Instructions 

and mail it to:

YMCA of Greater Richmond
2 W. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Attention: Financial Development Department

* If you would like your gift to serve a specific community,
please designate on the check the YMCA branch to which it applies.

If your organization or company would like to partner with
YMCA Bright Beginnings, please contact Shelly Poole,
Bright Beginnings Director, at pooles at ymcarichmond dot org.

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS