For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA
Marketing & Communications Department
973.822-9622 ext. 2241
For Immediate Release through September 30, 2015.

Donate To A Good Cause Through A Good Cause!

(Madison, NJ) – September 4, 2015 – The community is invited to donate to a good cause through a good cause. Short Stories Community Book Hub is helping give back to the community through the Madison Area YMCA.

Short Stories, a new indie book store and cultural arts space located at 32 Main Street in Madison, is donating 10% of its proceeds on Tuesday, September 29, and Wednesday, September 30, to benefit the Before- and After-Care program at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA, a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds Days are from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on both days. The program is part of Short Stories’ monthly “Give Back Event” designed to promote and donate to local not-for-profit organizations. Short Stories features adult and children’s books, gifts, cards, games, journals and so much more.

The After-School program at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center for 1^st through 5^th graders provides a safe and enriching learning environment that is focused on STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities to keep both minds and bodies active with an emphasis on fun. The program is available two to five days per week with a healthy snack provided. Pick-up is 6 p.m. An extended care option is available until 6:45 p.m. Bussing is provided to the Kirby Center from Chatham, Madison and Florham Park schools. Students participate in interactive learning, fitness and dedicated homework time. Transportation is also provided to and from local schools, including during delayed openings and early dismissals due to inclement weather. Full-day care is available during school vacations and closings. Transportation is provided to and from the Madison Area YMCA Kirby Center for students who are enrolled in Family Center swimming, gymnastics, dance and sports classes. A Before-School option, with drop-off as early as 7a.m., is available for kindergarten through 5^th grade students that includes a nutritious breakfast and activities with friends before school starts in the morning. Transportation is provided to local schools.

Additionally, Short Stories will host an art show on both days that showcases the artwork of students that attend the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center.

The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA is one of the largest early childhood education centers in the area offering exceptional quality in childcare and curriculum-based early childhood education programs and care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, Young 5 students and kindergartners. The Center offers Before- and After-School Care, a Kindergarten Wraparound program and summer day camp. Programming includes Talking Tots, a half-day toddler program with an intensive focus on speech and language acquisition and development taught by a specially-trained teaching team under the direction of a licensed speech and language pathologist.

The Madison Area YMCA is a cause-driven charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y offers a range of youth sports, swimming, gymnastics, performing arts, youth leadership programs, enrichment classes and summer day camp. Enriching community wellness and health-enhancing programs are available to all in the community.

The Y provides financial assistance to anyone who resides or works in Madison, Chatham and Florham Park that might not be able to afford Y membership. Support is provided based on demonstrated need, with the goal that no one be turned away from membership regardless of income or background.

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