If you wander through the Manitowoc–Two Rivers YMCA this December, you might hear jingle bells ringing in the lobby or see small hands carefully painting bright kindness rocks. You might catch children giggling as they practice jokes to share with Randy, a familiar face at the Y. These moments are part of the YMCA’s 12 Days of Kindness, led by children in the Early Childhood Education classrooms.
 
Throughout December, classrooms pause each day to focus on one simple idea: doing something kind for someone else. Some children help spread cheer through movement and sound, while others settle in with markers, glue, and paper, creating decorations for Y hallways or making cards to brighten the day of hospital patients. Another group focuses on cleaning the well-loved caterpillar that hangs in the hallway, wiping its bells, textures, and buttons so it is ready for the next round of curious hands.
 
These small acts are intentional. They give children a chance to notice others, to think about how their actions can make someone smile, and to experience the joy that comes from giving.
 
Together, these moments shape the holiday season at the Y, with the youngest members of the Y community leading the way through small acts of care.
 
About the Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA
Driven by its founding mission, the YMCA has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. Locally, the Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA empowers individuals and families by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive.