Vicksburg YMCA closes through March 31; offers free children’s day camp for first responders

From the Vicksburg YMCA, Easy Biedenharn, president Board of Directors and Phillip Doiron, executive director:

For 97 years your YMCA has served the greater community of Vicksburg. Today the service continues even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The Y has weathered program and facility cancellations and amended practices to make every attempt to keep our doors open, but now is the time for change.

Effective Friday, March 20, 8 p.m., the Purks YMCA Branch will close its doors to the public until March 31. At that time a decision will be made regarding future steps. The date was chosen because March 31 signals the end date of the President’s 15-day Coronavirus Guidelines for America.

During this facility closure the following operations will continue:

• School Aged Day Camp for Critical Infrastructure Industry and First Responder employees: The Department of Homeland Security defines this as health-care services, pharmaceutical and food supply. To this list the YMCA has added police, sheriff’s deputies, fire and EMT/Paramedics. The camp will be held at the Purks YMCA Branch from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. To register come to the Purks Y Branch, 267 YMCA Place. This service is being offered FREE OF CHARGE.
• YMCA business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During that time, staff will be available by phone: 601-638- 1071. Staff emails are available at vicksburgymca.com. Your YMCA staff will continue to plan programs and perform facility deep cleanings.
• CHECK US OUT ONLINE! Go to the Vicksburg YMCA or the Vicksburg YMCA Group Fitness Facebook page for online classes, fitness tips, devotionals and home activities for children. We will update often to help provide a “slice of Y” in your home.

We realize this announcement will bring on many questions regarding program and membership enrollment. Please be patient as we work through these questions to provide answers. We thank you for your continued support, and we leave you with the following:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his face and bring you peace.