April 11, 2023
QUAKERTOWN- YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties brought its annual Chocolotta fundraiser back in person on March 17. The 19th annual Chocolotta hosted by YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties raised more than $95,000 to help provide assistance for low to moderate-income families whose children participate in the Y’s early childhood, school age, and summer camp programs.
With 150 people in attendance at the St. Patrick’s Day-themed event, the YMCA hosted Chocolotta at its Quakertown branch for the first time. The large Quakertown gymnasium was transformed into an elegantly "shamrocked" ballroom, complete with indulgent food stations, chocolate desserts, and live string jazz performed by the Barry Warren Trio.
Attendees bid generously on silent and live auctions in support of the work the Y does in the Quakertown community. More than $16,000 in donations were pledged during a live Send Kids to Camp auction that will allow 80 children to attend summer camp whose families would not otherwise be able to pay the cost. The evening also marked the beginning of sharing a vision for the future of the Y in Quakertown.
“While recovering from cancer and treatment, the YMCA was there for me and my family,” explained MaryLisa Kelly, a YMCA member in Quakertown and guest speaker at Chocolotta. “My life had changed forever because of my illness, and I was not in the position to afford camp for my children. I grew up at this Y and have strong bonds with many of the staff. The YMCA Financial Assistance program made it so my son and daughter could attend camp last year while I focused on my own health so I could return to work.”
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties offers free, donor-supported Pathway programs to groups with commonly shared wellness needs throughout all its branches. The Veterans Wellness Initiative for retired and active military; the 7th Grade Membership Initiative; and Healthy Horizons for adults recovering from a mental health diagnosis are some of the free, 8-16 week Pathway programs offered at the Quakertown branch.
“The work we do here in Quakertown is vital to the community, and it’s donors like you we have to thank,” remarked Zane Moore, president/CEO of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, addressing guests at Chocolotta. “Be it financial assistance for families to send kids to camp and child care, or providing health and wellness to those in the community who participate in our free Pathway programs, we cannot do it without the support of caring people like you.”
Following the evening’s program and live auction, guests were invited to tour the Quakertown branch, including the large warehouse space that will be an integral aspect of the facility’s future.
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 49,000 members and participants at its six member branches, seven child development centers, and 13 camp locations across Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties provides over $5 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcabhc.org.
Photo Caption: MaryLisa Kelly, beneficiary of vital YMCA financial assistance, addresses guests at Chocolotta on March 17.