The Butler County Family YMCA Association plans to play along with the latest state orders.

“We're respectful of the leadership throughout the commonwealth,” said Sandy Ihlenfeld, executive director.

By state mandate, gyms and fitness centers were ordered to close their doors beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Jan. 4.

Both association locations in Butler and Cranberry Township will close their fitness facilities to the public, but they will continue to offer child care services.

“We serve approximately 600 children every day,” Ihlenfeld said. “We recognize that people need to continue to work.”

While normal child care services will continue at both locations, the Butler YMCA specifically has joined with the Butler Area School District to provide specialized virtual classroom settings to those unable to do so at home.

The children will be dropped off at the YMCA at 339 N. Washington St. where they will be supplied with the materials they need to perform their virtual studies while their parents go to work.

“It's a great partnership between the Butler Y and the Butler Area School District,” Ihlenfeld said.

While the fitness centers are closed, the association will continue offering online services. These services can range from free workout classes, like weight training and cardio, to mental health awareness and assistance programs.

“We have done an overhaul on our virtual Y, our online Y,” said Jill Zoria, director of marketing strategy and development. “Everyone, members and nonmembers, has access to it.”

Zoria said the association is also continuing fundraising efforts online too. She said the Giving Tree fundraiser typically draws a lot of attention in the weeks leading up to Christmas when people would enter the lobby of either location and see a tree with ornaments explaining area needs.

“The need has a price tag on it,” Zoria said. “For $75 you'll be able to give a child seven weeks of swim lessons. For $50, it'll give a child access to the Reach and Rise program for 14 weeks.”

Zoria said they will use their online presence as well as social media pages to tell these stories, show off the ornaments and hopefully gain community support for fellow community members.

“We are seeing the positive,” Ihlenfeld said. “We recognize that the Y is so much more than a gym.”