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With Christmas just days away, area human service agencies are making their list and checking it twice. The economic challenges that many families and individuals in Oswego County are facing has resulted a record amount of requests from families in need this holiday season.
In an effort to meet these requests, several agencies have partnered with the United Way of Greater Oswego in an attempt to form an Oswego County Christmas Bureau, and while they have received numerous donations of toys and food there are many more Christmas wishes to fill.
"Our partners have done an excellent job gathering donations and the response that we have received from the community has been encouraging," said Melanie Trexler, executive director, United Way of Greater Oswego County. "The Department of Social Services is once again doing a remarkable job with the Children's Fund, and the efforts of our partners, including Catholic Charities of Oswego County, and Toys for Tots are helping to expand the success of the Children's Fund. To date, we have enough toys for 1,600 children and 500 food baskets, however, we are in need for additional donations as we have 400 children on the Christmas toy waiting list and many more families in need of food baskets."
Trexler added that those wishing to donate unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items, or money for food baskets, should contact Helen Hoefer at 315-598-3980 or drop them off at Catholic Charities of Oswego County, 301 Beech Street in Fulton. Monetary donations for the Children's Fund Christmas toy drive may be sent to the United Way, attention Doreen Clark, 1 S. First St., Fulton, NY, 13069. Additionally, those who would like to Adopt-a-Family for Christmas may do so by contacting Deanne Myers of Oswego County DSS at 315-963-5246.
"Sharing our good fortune with those in need reflects the true spirit of the season," Trexler added. "I'm confident that the generosity of our community will shine this Christmas and we will be able to meet the requests on our wish list."
