Volunteer Appreciation Week 2026

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

Written on the walls across all six YMCA of Three Rivers locations are stories of volunteers who have dedicated their time, energy, passion, and talent to our programs, services and operations. These are pieces of who they are, and through their generosity, they have become part of what the YMCA of Three Rivers is and always has been. National Volunteer Week 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate this. 

While the walls themselves may not speak, the numbers tell a powerful story. 

 In 2025 alone, nearly 60,000 volunteer hours were contributed. In 2026, that number has already reached 16,500 and continues to grow. More than just hours, this contribution is made up of moments that individuals have chosen to give, setting aside their own routines to support causes and places that matter deeply to them.  

Today, 568 active volunteers support our YMCA across all locations. They fuel those spaces and experiences that define the organization, from health and wellness to childcare, from immigration and employment services to leadership. In the big moments and the everyday ones, they are the welcoming smiles, the helping hands, and the reason why we are able to thrive. 

Among them are individuals whose commitment spans years and even decades.

This year, we recognize 44 volunteers who are celebrating milestones from 5 to 60 years of service. They are proof of what can happen when passion meets consistency, reflecting the care and enduring connection they have contributed to the community. For many, volunteering is no longer just something they do; it is part of the fabric of who they are and, in turn, part of the fabric of our YMCA. Collectively, these milestones represent 555 years of service. The weight of that number is difficult to fully capture as it speaks to generations of impact, relationships built, and lives changed. 

Yet, these numbers only tell part of the story. 

Behind every hour is a story. Behind every volunteer is a reason, and behind every interaction is an impact that extends far beyond anything we could measure. 

National Volunteer Week is coming to a close, but as a volunteer-based and volunteer-led organization, celebrating our volunteers is a year-long commitment. 

Thank you, Volunteers.