Armed Services YMCA Recreates the Magic of the Holidays for Military Families at the Christmas You Missed ™
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN DIEGO – On Monday, June 24, the Armed Services YMCA San Diego (ASY San Diego) will be playing in the snow, decking the halls and singing carols with military families—all in celebration of the 7th Annual
Christmas You Missed™. The title sponsor of the 2013 event is San Diego Spine and Rehab. The ASY and their community partners will recreate the holidays in a winter wonderland for military personnel and their loved ones that were separated by deployment during the 2012 holiday season. The sold-out event is completely free and will allow 530 members of military families to relive every detail of the wintery season while making lifelong memories together. The event will take place at the Murphy Canyon Youth Center located at 4867 Santo Road, San Diego, CA 92124 from 6am to 9am on June 24th.
Family separation is a challenging part of being in a military family. This painful reality is especially heightened during the holiday season. Service members miss the pleasure of watching their children’s excitement, spouses must endure the heightened holiday stressors alone, and families miss out on the special bonding time that the season brings. Over 75 commands at 6 different duty stations will be represented at the Armed Services YMCA’s
Christmas You Missed™—and that is only a portion of the military units deployed last winter.
“At the ASYMCA, we know how difficult it can be for military families to spend the holidays apart—so seven years ago, we decided to bring it to them in June,” said Executive Director CAPT Paul Steffens, USN (Ret.). “This is our collective opportunity to give a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to those brave men, women and families who serve us every day.”
The Armed Services YMCA’s Christmas You Missed™ takes place at the Murphy Canyon Youth Center from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. This early start recreates the true feeling of a holiday morning, and accommodates the busy school and duty schedules of military personnel. Dressed in their coziest holiday outfits and PJs, families will walk through falling snow into a winter wonderland to enjoy a warm breakfast, sponsored by Souplantation. A full morning of festive entertainment features carolers, dancers, and headliners Hullabaloo and the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Band. With a newly expanded outdoor activity area, this will be the biggest and best celebration yet. This event will feature activities geared towards making family memories, such as cookie decorating, face painting, outdoor bowling, bounce houses, raffles, and even a special appearance from Santa. Whether they are posing for family pictures or getting silly in the photo booth, each family will go home with lasting memories that will be cherished.
The community also has the opportunity to show their appreciation for military at this heartfelt event. Those who are eager to give thanks to these families for their sacrifices are invited to sponsor a holiday wish snowflake by going to MilitaryYMCA.org. These snowflakes, customized with a personalized message and donor’s name, will adorn the halls of this event and be a special keepsake for families to take home. For a donation starting at just $10, the San Diego community will be able to ensure that ASY San Diego continues to provide services to military families, children and warriors, not just on special occasions, but all year long. The Armed Services YMCA partners with hundreds of volunteers and donors to make this event possible.
Visuals:
Live Christmas Trees and cinnamon branches
Falling Snow to greet military families
Red Marine Humvees in front of the venue
Caroler’s in Old Fashioned Christmas Attire
Hundreds of fresh Poinsettias
Gingerbread cookie decorating
A holiday breakfast
Cookie decorating and kids Christmas crafts
Holiday photos with Santa and silly photobooth photos to take home
Outdoor activity booths including mini-firetruck rides, a dunk tank, and bounce houses
- Media is invited to attend the event for a sneak preview, beginning at 5:30 am. For more information, contact Cat Quirk at 858-751-5755 Ext 105 or visit MilitaryYMCA.org. Click here to see photos from the 2012 Christmas You Missed event:
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About the Armed Services YMCA San Diego
The Armed Services YMCA San Diego (ASY San Diego) is the leading non-profit that makes military life easier for active duty service members and their families. The ASY San Diego gives military personnel and their loved ones the support and resources they need to be resilient, confident, connected, and secure. Founded in 1920 as a national affiliate of the YMCA, its mission is to enhance the lives of service members and their families in mind, body, and spirit. Through programs and services that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life, the ASY strengthens the military community. The ASY San Diego is, and always will be, dedicated to making military life easier. MilitaryYMCA.org
Cat Quirk
Director of Public Relations
ARMED SERVICES YMCA SAN DIEGO
3293 Santo Road, San Diego, CA 92124
(P) 858 751 5755 Ext 105 (F) 858 751 5769
(E) cat.q@militaryymca.org (W) MilitaryYMCA.org
The Armed Services Y: Making Military Life Easier®
