Children of Christian Street YMCA to Receive $50,000 Donation in New Toys from The Right Start.

Business Editors

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2001

Children, community leaders and local officials will gather tomorrow at the historical Christian Street YMCA on Friday, June 1, at 11:00 a.m., to receive a $50,000 donation of educational toys from The Right Start, the California-based nationwide specialty retailer of children's development and safety products.

Trucks donated by Arnold Logistics will unload The Right Start's Pennsylvania warehouse of brand new toys, books and other items at the Christian Street YMCA in south Philadelphia.

The donation resulted when The Right Start contacted Rosie O'Donnell's For All Kids Foundation, who referred them to Christian Street YMCA as a worthy Philadelphia charity helping kids and families in need of toys and educational products.

"The Right Start wanted to find an organization where we could really help make a difference in the lives of children," said Marilyn Platfoot, executive vice president of The Right Start Inc. "The Christian Street YMCA's dedication to giving children and families the right start was a perfect match."

Mayor John Street, Former Mayor Ed Rendell, State Senator Anthony H. Williams, State Representative Harold James and other local officials, YMCA board members and staff will accept The Right Start donation at the ceremony tomorrow.

"The Right Start answered my prayers for the YMCA to have new toys and books, so our kids can develop healthy and happy minds, bodies and spirits," said Blondell Parsons, executive director of the Christian Street YMCA. "We are so grateful to be remembered by a company with the same goals as ours -- giving all children the right start in life through learning and recreation."

The Christian Street YMCA, founded in 1889, is the nation's second oldest African-American YMCA. Among the founders are William Still, abolitionist, businessman and author of "The Underground Railroad," and Christopher Perry, founder of The Philadelphia Tribune. For more than a century, the Christian Street YMCA has served the community by nurturing children, strengthening families and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The Christian Street YMCA serves south Philadelphia, offering an array of programming for toddlers, pre-schoolers, teens and adults, including a full day and after-school childcare, summer day camp and fitness program. This summer, the Christian Street YMCA is co-sponsoring, along with Talleyrand LLC, "Reading for Life," an intense 10-week reading and writing program for 50 middle school children.

The Right Start Inc. is the largest national specialty retailer of high-quality developmental, educational, safety and care products for infants and children. The Right Start brand was founded in 1985 through the creation of the award-winning Right Start Catalog(TM), and the company now operates over 60 retail stores nationwide, giving "the right start" to new generations of children.