Kernersville Family YMCA Celebrates Record-Breaking 27th Annual Bright Beginnings Program
Kernersville, NC — The Kernersville Family YMCA proudly celebrated its 27th Annual YMCA Bright Beginnings event, making history by serving 168 local students—the largest number of children ever supported through the program. More than 200 volunteers, Board members, staff, and community partners came together to ensure local children begin the 2026–2027 school year with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to succeed.
The YMCA Bright Beginnings program pairs children in need with volunteers for a personalized shopping experience, providing each child with new school clothes, new athletic shoes, and a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. The program helps children start the school year feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn.
"Seeing the smiles on the faces of so many children, families, volunteers, and community partners throughout the day was truly inspiring," said Adam Cardwell, Executive Director of the Kernersville Family YMCA. "Bright Beginnings is one of my favorite Y programs because it so clearly reflects our mission of strengthening our community by supporting youth and families. Because of the support from our volunteers, donors, and community partners, 168 children begin the school year with confidence, encouragement, and the supplies they need to succeed."
Across Northwest North Carolina, one in four children lives in poverty, and more than half of all students qualify for free or reduced lunch. For many families, preparing for a new school year can create financial stress. Through Bright Beginnings, the Y helps remove those barriers by ensuring children have the essentials they need for a successful start.
This year's event was made possible through the generosity of volunteers, donors, and community partners, led by Brightspeed, the 2026 Presenting Sponsor. Brightspeed's continued investment in youth and families reflects its commitment to strengthening the communities it serves.
"It’s incredible to see what Kernersville Family YMCA does for their community. That's what makes us passionate about the work we do every day,” says Sabrina Anderson, local marketing manager at Brightspeed. “As we work to improve the lives of people and small businesses in suburban and rural areas, it’s an honor to give back to the communities we serve that make this work so meaningful.”
Additional support came from Fleet Feet Winston-Salem, which provided every child with a new pair of athletic shoes and hosted the shoe-fitting station, The Way Fellowship, which served food and refreshments to students and volunteers, and numerous community organizations that helped make the day memorable.
Community partners included the Kiwanis Club of Kernersville, which provided every child with a new book; the Kernersville Police Department; Kernersville Fire Rescue Department and Sparky the Fire Dog; High Point University Athletics and Prowler; Novant Health; Savage Roasters Coffee; and Phocused by Darryl, which captured the day's special moments through photography.
The Kernersville Family YMCA also extends special appreciation to Taylor Mabe and Whitney Hunter, Co-Chairs of the 2026 Bright Beginnings event, the entire Bright Beginnings Planning Committee, and the many businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individual volunteers whose generosity made this record-breaking event possible.
Together, we helped ensure that every child served through Bright Beginnings begins the 2026–2027 school year feeling valued, confident, and ready to thrive.
For more information, contact Adam Cardwell, Executive Director, Kernersville Family YMCA at 336-245-7213 or a.cardwell@ymcanwnc.org.
Click here to learn more about Bright Beginnings across the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina.