Operation Holiday Joy was initially established in collaboration with Woman’s Day Magazine and their readers to raise awareness and funds for military service members and their families during the holidays.
Since 2004, Operation Holiday Joy supporters have donated more than $1.3 million to make the holidays brighter for military members and their families. Yourgenerosity has allowed us to purchase and distribute more than 320,000 toys as well as deliver over 25,000 baskets of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas to junior enlisted families in need.
Bringing Joy to North Chicago
December 1, 2026, 1100-1300
The Armed Services YMCA will be hosting an Operation Holiday Joy event in North Chicago. Eligible E1-E5 military families will have the opportunity to pick out brand-new toys for their loved ones and bring a little extra joy to the holiday season! Registration is required.
Many of our Armed Services YMCA locations participate in Operation Holiday Joy. Visit our Branch Directory to inquire at a branch near you about the availability of this program.
When Maya accepted her placement in the Early Childhood Education Fellowship, she thought she was simply stepping into a professional development program. What she didn’t realize yet was that she was beginning a transformative journey—one that would shape not only her career, building portable skills and opening doors to new opportunities, but also the lives of countless young children and families.
On her first day, Maya entered a brightly lit child development center filled with small tables, colorful books, and the joyful hum of children discovering the world. But the fellowship quickly proved to be more than classroom exposure. It was a structured, immersive experience that combined hands-on teaching, mentorship, coursework, and leadership development.
Each week, Maya worked side-by-side with a lead teacher who guided her through the complexities of child development, how to recognize emerging language skills, how to support emotional regulation, and how to design learning experiences that spark curiosity. In the afternoons, she experienced and explored topics with her cohort like equity in early childhood education, trauma-informed teaching, and family engagement. These experiences didn’t just build knowledge — they challenged assumptions and inspired purpose.
Midway through the fellowship, Maya began to see the impact of her growth. She noticed how a child who once struggled to communicate now eagerly shared stories, or how a small adjustment in her teaching approach created a more inclusive environment for a child with sensory needs. These were not just successes; they were life-changing moments.
Equally powerful was the community. The fellowship created a network of passionate peers who shared ideas, challenges, and encouragement. Through collaborative projects and reflective discussions, Maya developed both confidence and a sense of belonging in the profession.
By the end of the program, Maya had not only developed and refined her teaching practice but also discovered her voice as an advocate for early childhood education. She left the fellowship ready to contribute to systemic improvements in the field.
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