YMCA Branches Throughout San Diego County Free and Open to the Public All Weekend

San Diego, Dec. 8, 2017 — The harsh, unpredictable weather, fires and power outages have created a stressful time throughout San Diego County this week. To help relieve some stress, the YMCA of San Diego County announced today that 16 of its operational branches will be free and open to the community at-large on Saturday Dec. 9, 2017 and Sunday Dec. 10, 2017.

“Our community comes together during times like this and we’re grateful the Y can do our part by opening our doors to all,” said Charmaine Carter, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for the YMCA of San Diego County. “Even if you’re outside the fire evacuation zone this is still a stressful time for everyone. We are able to offer a place where families and individuals of all ages can come together, relieve stress and have fun.”

To find the YMCA facility nearest you, as well as hours of operation, please visit our locations page. The only facility that is closed due to the Lilac Fire is the Joe and Mary Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside.

The Y offers two free hours of child care to parents while they workout or take a group exercise class. Additionally, children ages 7 and up can workout with their parents. Most facilities offer open family swim times, splash pads and other activities, plus a wide variety of fitness equipment.

It’s important to note YMCA facilities are not shelters or evacuation sites. Please refer to the County Office of Emergency Services, the American Red Cross or the local media for shelter information.

About The YMCA of San Diego County

The YMCA of San Diego County is the second largest Y in the nation serving more than 400,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,000 people. Through a variety of programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y unites men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body.

Visit our location page to find your local YMCA or call (858) 292-YMCA (9622).

About Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association promotes Anthem Blue Cross’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that the company serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Associate Giving program and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates’ pledges. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.