It started out small, as many wonderful things often do. In November of 2011, a group of employees at the Central Bucks Family YMCA wished to recognize the Y's military members for Veterans Day. With assistance from the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), their wish became reality in the form of a reception in the lobby of the main building.
The positive response from veterans inspired the YMCA to expand the event into a luncheon the following year. They also extended the invitation to include military members in the community. Word of the event spread with help from the Doylestown VFW(Veterans of Foreign Wars), the VIA, the Travis Manion Foundation and the Doylestown chapter of the DAV ( Disabled American Veterans). To accommodate the additional attendees, the lunch was moved to the larger Central Bucks Family YMCA Teen Center. Speakers were brought in, more volunteers assisted, and more food was served!
In 2014, the YMCA's TOGETHERHOOD program, a member-led community service committee, took charge of the event. Under their caring direction, relationships with the local sponsors and participants of the event grew and so did the number of attendees. By 2015, the lunch was moved from the Teen Center to one half of the Central Bucks Family YMCA gymnasium. Last year, with over 125 attendees, the entire gym was opened for the event.
POSTS
Souderton Business Improvement District Five Dollar Giveback ProgramARCHIVE
April 2020
