YWCA kicks off 2nd annual “Miracle on 8th Street”

By Kendra Simpson

St. Joseph residents can help bring holiday cheer to those in need by donating to the 2nd annual “Miracle on 8th Street” donation drive.

The YWCA has asked for help from the community in providing new gifts for their shelter residents and other program participants.

“I think that a lot of people and for anybody, Christmas has been a struggle for quite a few years,” YWCA Chief Executive Officer Danielle Brown said. “When you can take away some of that struggle from somebody or, you know, give a first time opportunity for a kid to buy a gift for their mom or their grandma, whoever that important person is in their life…we know the power of giving and it feels so good to give.”

All donations will be presented as a shopping experience for the residents. Participants can choose from the donations for holidays gifts for their families at no cost.

“There’s a whole variety of items that they can choose from,” Volunteer Coordinator Assistant Regina Overman said. “We have everything from like housewares to blankets to hygiene items like body sprays and bath sets.”

Whether it be a children’s book, jewelry, water bottle or even a robe, every item big or small can make a world of a difference to a family.

The Miracle on 8th Street donation drive goes until Dec. 6, but the YWCA would be more than happy to accept any last-minute donations once the drive ends.

Drop off locations include the YWCA, the financial advisor office of Colton Saunders & Edward Jones at 2610 N Belt Hwy, Little Ceasar’s at 3304 Ashland Ave. and Tolly & Associates American Family Insurance at 2606 N Belt Hwy. Donations can also be made through the drive’s Amazon Wishlist at https://amzn.to/3FYAgOV or through Venmo with the handle @YWCA-StJoseph.

“We are blessed with a community who really gives back to the community and understands that if you’ve got some, someone else may not,” Brown said. “And so they’re very willing to give and give generously.”