Home Depot grant provides new kitchen to the Birch Park Outreach Center

Date: 8/15/2012

By Carley Dangona

carley@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Scattered throughout the YMCA of Greater Springfield's Birch Park Outreach Community Center on Aug. 8, were many volunteers from the West Springfield Home Depot; upgrading the kitchen, painting walls, installing cabinets — working hard to complete the projects in time for the fast-approaching 2012-2013 school year.

According to a press release, a $9,500 grant from the Home Depot Foundation funded the kitchen upgrade and other improvements for the center.

Founded in 2006, the Birch Park Outreach Center is a collaborative effort among the YMCA of Greater Springfield, the West Springfield Police Department and the West Springfield Housing Authority, to provide an afterschool haven for youth ages 6 to 17 years old.

"I think Home Depot is a quintessential partner and really stepped up and supported the Birch Park Outreach Center," Kirk Smith, president and CEO for the YMCA of Greater Springfield, said.

"It means a lot for Home Depot to come out," Smith continued. "[The work the volunteers have done] it's amazing, high quality, top of the line."

Home Depot volunteer Bill Lemay said, "We've been working on the projects for a couple weeks." When asked what his favorite part about volunteering, Lemay responded, "Getting the project — actually helping out in the community [physically]."

Another volunteer, Wanda Thomas, isn't a Home Depot employee, but the mother of Home Depot volunteer Amy Boyer. "I volunteer at all their [Home Depot's] community service projects," Thomas said. "I love to paint."

According to Luis Manzi, executive director of Outreach, Teens and Camping for the YMCA of Greater Springfield, the Center will be open weekdays from 2:30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I know the kids are excited [to see the changes at the Center]," Manzi said.

"I can't wait to see the kids faces," Kristine Allard, vice president of Development and Communications for the YMCA of Greater Springfield, said.

For more information about the Birch Park Outreach Center, located at 144 Birch Park Circle, or the other centers and programs offered by the YMCA of Greater Springfield, visit www.springfieldy.org. For more information about the Home Depot Foundation, visit www.homedepot.com, or contact your local store.