Coronavirus: Several YMCA branches turned into emergency child care centers

The Huber Heights YMCA, located at 7251 Shull Road, will become an emergency child care center. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED / Jessica Valle

The Huber Heights YMCA, located at 7251 Shull Road, will become an emergency child care center. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED / Jessica Valle

Starting today, several local YMCA branches have been turned into emergency child care centers for coronavirus response workers.

The Coffman, Fairborn, South, Huber Heights, Kleptz, Preble, West Carrollton and Xenia YMCA branches are now child care centers, according to a letter to local YMCA members from Dale Brunner, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Dayton.

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The emergency child care centers are for first responders, hospital employees and other health care workers, nursing home employees and grocery store workers.

“We want to make sure medical professionals and essential personnel in our community don’t have to worry that their children are in a safe place,” Brunner said.

Brunner, in his letter, asks members to maintain their memberships even though gyms are closed. If members do not wish to continue paying dues, they can ask that April dues be halted and maintain their membership.

“We are asking for you to help us to deliver care to our communities most necessary critical staff by maintaining your YMCA membership dues during this unprecedented time,” Brunner said.

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