Community News

     For 50 years, residents and businesses of Scriba have been given the opportunity to give and share with the less fortunate in their town through the Scriba Christmas Project.

     Applications for the 2012 Scriba Christmas Project will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, and from 3-6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19. and will be processed at the Scriba Municipal Building on Creamery Road in the town of Scriba. Applicants must apply in person and information supplied to Project volunteers will be maintained in strict confidence.
     Those applying need to provide a valid NYS Drivers License or equivalent ID; a recent bill displaying a current Scriba address and a positive ID for each household member, i.e. a birth certificate, drivers license, etc.
     In 2011, the Project was able to provide food and gifts at Christmas time for 348 persons – 88 families, including 158 children; 104 Scriba senior citizens, either living in their homes or residing at local care facilities; and several special needs adults.
     According to project volunteer and treasurer, Kathy Nemier, the Project saw its humble beginnings in 1962 in the garage of Emma and Harold Powers, who saw the need in the community. The Powers drew in other volunteers to help and over the years their mission developed to encompass the following:
     • Discovering which Scriba families and individuals are in need of some assistance at Christmas-time.
     •Gathering contributions of money, food, toys, and other gifts from Scriba residents, businesses and churches. Money collected is used to purchase additional food.
     •Putting together boxes of food and gifts for the year's applicants. The amount of food in each box is more than that needed for a Christmas meal and is sized based on the number of persons in the household.
     •Providing toys for children 12 years old and younger. For children 13-17 years old, other gifts are added as available, such as gloves, hats, scarves or other similar items from donations from a particular year.
     The Project also distributes gift bags to its "Scriba Treasures," which are residents 80 years old or older and Nemier said it does not matter if they currently are living in their own homes or are located in area assisted–living facilities.
     She said it really is not about whether an elderly resident is in need or not, but it is a way to honor them, to let them know the community is thinking of them during the holiday season and, even more importantly, spend a little time visiting with them.
     "They are so appreciative," Nemier said. "Once we got a call from a lady who said, 'I am sitting here with my pen and pad, munching on crackers and getting ready to eat a Hershey kiss."
     All little things in her bag, Nemier pointed out, but it meant so much to her.
     She said another resident shared with her that her mother, who is a recipient of the little gift bag actually uses it as a focal point for her holiday decorating, putting the bag in the middle of a table and then transforming the contents into decorations, for instance, making tissue flowers.

      Nemier added they spend a lot of time and energy finding throughout the year and the community to find out birthdays in order to make sure no one who is turning 80 is missed.

     But not all of the 80-year-olds are on the receiving end of the Project.
     "We have one lady who is actually older than 80 who just works away at whatever needs to be done to help out the project," Nemier said.
     This year, the dedicated group of volunteers expect that applications could again identify 300-400 individuals who need assistance, volunteer Dick Schilling said, and strong backing from the local community is once more needed and will be gratefully accepted.
     Some of the businesses and organizations who show strong support each year include Mary Powers at the Country Cabin; NY Bold Onions and the Four Seasons Quilters group.
     But not only are donations needed to keep this special project on track, but volunteers as well. Nemier pointed out that the number has dwindled a little over the years, but the need has not.
     Both Nemier and Schilling expressed their appreciation to the town of Scriba, which has supported and cooperated with the Scriba Christmas Project for many years.
     "The town has generously allowed the Project to use its facilities for staging and distributing the food/gift boxes," Nemier said. "However, the Project is not funded by, nor is it officially an activity of the town of Scriba. The Project is able to perform its annual effort solely through the donations it receives and the work of its all-volunteer staff."
     Donations of food or gifts (i.e. toys for children) may also be left at the Scriba Municipal Building, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
     To provide a donation, to help with the project or for more information, call Amy Strong, project coordinator, at 593-9888; or Nemier at 342-4847.
     Monetary donations may be mailed to the Scriba Christmas Project, c/o Amy Strong, 363 County Route 51A, Oswego, NY 13126.