DETROIT (WXYZ) — Mackenzie Scott, a novelist and philanthropist and the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, recently provided a massive donation to the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.
Scott gifted the organization $10 million to support the YMCA's efforts in serving metro Detroit families. It's the single largest donation in the organization's 168-year history.
The YMCA was one of 384 organizations, which included 43 YMCA associations from across the nation, chosen to receive contributions, a release states.
“This gift will assist us with expanding and deepening our work, which includes addressing the health disparities in our community,” said Helene Weir, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. “The COVID-19 Pandemic presented the greatest challenge our YMCAs have had to face in my lifetime, while also presenting the YMCA with incredible opportunities to meet extraordinary community needs.”
Since the start of the pandemic, local YMCA's have served over 200,000 meals and services to over 8,000 children.
