Embracing the giving spirit this holiday season
As I have travelled the district over the course of my first term, I have been so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and learn about the incredible work being done to make our community an even better place to live. The generosity of those great individuals and organizations often goes without fanfare. I feel it is important to not only recognize all the good that they do, but to spread the word and get more members of our community involved.
One such organization, CAPTAIN Human Services Mary Beth Walsh in Clifton Park and Glenville, has been a pillar in our community since its founding in 1977. The recent merge between CAPTAIN and Community Human Services allows this volunteer driven organization, to expand its focus on finding solutions to social issues and helping individuals reach their goals of self-sufficiency, CAPTAIN offers a wide array of beneficial, year-round programs to both Saratoga and Schenectady Counties. As we enter the holiday season, the organization’s food pantry will play a crucially important role in putting meals on the table for countless families in need. CAPTAIN is always in need of donations and volunteers, and I encourage you to contact their offices at 518-371-1185 to learn more about how you can get involved.
For the past 13 years, Ellms Family Farms of Ballston Spa has coordinated the ‘Trees for Troops” effort in eastern New York. Since 2005, more than 200,000 free, farm-grown Christmas Trees have been provided to troops and military families in the United States and overseas through this unique initiative. Through generous donations throughout the country 17,400 Christmas trees were delivered to 70 military bases and 250 trees to four international bases. With your help, “Trees for Troops” can continue to provide such joy and holiday spirit to military families around the world. Learn more about how you can get involved by visiting their website: www.treesfortroops.org/get-involved.
The Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council also plays a big role in helping our neighbors put food on the table, and is always looking for volunteers. The organization is hard at work all year, offering its Mobile Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Rural Food Delivery and Summer Youth Lunch programs. Each holiday season, the EOC’s Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Holiday Meals offer those in need several options to ensure they do not go hungry during the holidays. For more info on how you can help, please visit the organization’s website or call 518-288-3206.
Another program that has become a community staple during the holiday season is Capital Region Toys for Tots. Organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, this incredible program has delivered gifts of new toys to thousands of children across upstate New York. Faced with some uncertainty on how the toys would be delivered this year, the program organizers came together and, in true Marine fashion, found a way to accomplish their mission of bringing smiles to so many kids throughout our region. This year’s Toys for Tots convoy on Sunday, November 25th was a great success, however there is still time to donate, and bring some holiday cheer to local children in need. Visit their website for information on how you can participate!
There are, of course, so many other great organizations throughout our community that are in need of your assistance, and so many different ways you can help. Please don’t hesitate to contact my district office at 518-884-8010 to learn more or to share other initiatives you may know of. I’m looking forward to hearing from you, and I wish you and your family a safe and happy start to your holiday season. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh represents the 112th Assembly District, which consists of parts of Saratoga and Schenectady counties.