The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
SHARING THE CHRISTMAS JOY
31 Years: Oneida community supports local children through annual event
ONEIDA » Thirty- one years ago, two local businesses — WMCR radio and Nye Automotive — pioneered Share a Caring Christmas — an event whose primary vision was to bring the community together while helping to make Christmas more special for less fortunate children of Madison County.
Harold Nye offered his complete support including use of his showroom for the event. He and Carol Neveu of WMCR also wanted to help children acquire a deeper meaning for the season — a time for giving to others. On Saturday, that tradition continued and the late Harold Nye would probably have been overwhelmed at the generosity and spirit of giving that was still alive and as strong as ever.
“It is very important to take care of the children of the community and that is what we have done today,” said event organizer Linda Wimmer, “The tree is overwhelming with toys and we will have a lot of happy children this year.”
Once Santa and his reindeer arrived, the event was ready to go. St. Patrick’s Elementary School’s select
“It is very important to take care of the children of the community and that is whatwe have done today.”
— Linda Wimmer, event organizer
chorus was the first of many local schools and musical groups that helped to get attendees and volunteers in the Christmas spirit with songs of the season.
“I feel good about helping people,” said sixth grade student Hannah Farwell.
Other performances included Fritz’s Polka Band, who livened the crowd with the playing of “The Santa Claus Polka.” Other performances included the Westmoreland Central School Concert Band and Select Chorus, Rome City School’s Ridge Mills Elementary School, VVS Vocal and String Ensembles, J.D. George Elementary School’s Instrumental Group, Chittenango‘s Select Chorus, Brass Quartet and Chamber Orchestra, the DeRuyter Central School High School Band and Oneida’s North Broad St. School’s second grade choir.
“These students gave of their many talents and that is also a big part of this day,” said Mary Burton of Oneida, who was helping assemble the many toys under the tree.
While the musical entertainment played on one side of the large showroom, the other side bustled with the energy of people eating, chatting, admiring the 37-foot Christmas tree and waiting for a chance to see Santa. Madison County Dairy Princess Alanna Parker and Dairy Ambassador Alison Eisenhut helped keep the cookies, cocoa, pizza and other goodies moving.
Santa listened intently to the kids waiting for a chance to see the jolly fat man.
“Everybody was really nice today and I even saw a couple kids that were at the very top of my nice list,” said Santa. He shared that children who told him they didn’t know what they wanted were going to get something special. Santa shared that the number one present children were asking for was Legos.
Denise Velardi watched as her two daughters went to see Santa. Taylor, 6, wasn’t sure what she wanted other than a picture of Santa holding her Elf on a Shelf. Morgan, 10, a budding musician, wanted another guitar.
While Santa chattedwith his fans inside, Prancer the reindeer waited outside in a fenced in area sporting a hay floor. It’s the sixth year at the event for Prancer’s owner, Larry Fisher of Foothill Hops in Munnsville.
A continuous flow of gifts kept coming in through- out the morning and into the afternoon as bicycles, dolls, toy trucks and games — some gently used, others new — were offered in the spirit of giving and would find a new home on Christmas morning. A young child carried in a four-foot sock monkey which was larger than her. The smile on her face showed the results of the spirit of giving as she placed her gift under the tree.
“This is the most toys we have ever had,” said Terry Wimmer, Linda’s sister-inlaw and Nye employee.
“It’s really fun,” said Tim Nye, “We’d like to thank everyone that donates. Even the Oneida Fire Department helps. They delivered Santa.”
Toys are donated by the community and purchased by the Nye employees who fundraise among themselves all year. The total is matched or exceeded with a donation by Nye. The week before the event, employees head to Toys-R-Us for a shopping spree.
“This year they filled 13 shopping carts with toys, and picked up four bikes,” said Nye. “They used to get toys from the community and dad would send salespeople to deliver them to the families.”
Kelly Karram, an event organizer, said press releases contributed to an increase in people from outside the immediate area, including YNN.
“It’s exciting to see more people. It is a good event and it brings everyone together for a good cause,” said Karram. “People want to be involved. It warms your heart when you see a little one putting a present under the tree. Giving back.”
According to Linda Wimmer, more than 25 local businesses also contributed gifts as well as food for the event. Madison County Dairy Princess Erica Reale and her court assisted with refreshments as Nye Automotive Group’s colleagues and an array of volunteers made sure everyone who attended had a good time.
“How could we ever do this without all this help?” Wimmer said.
Wimmer said all of the toys donated stay local. “The toys are taken to the Salvation Army, where they are sorted and then are distributed to families through the Salvation Army and Oneida’s Karing Kitchen Holiday Program.”
Karing Kitchen is located in the basement of the Oneida first United Methodist Church, 116 West Grove St. in Oneida. Melissa King, coordinator of the Karing Kitchen and the Oneida Salvation Army Service Unit, said combining the Karing Kitchen with the Salvation Army “means we are able to ensure families receive both toys and food.”
The gently used toys will be available at the Karing Kitchen Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
“It’s an opportunity for grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, to pick out toys to give family members,” said King. “Maybe a grandparent’s Social Security just doesn’t stretch that far but they want to give their grandchild something.”
The new toy distribution is by appointment only. According to King, this year the organization is helping 430 families.
“Although that number is less than last year due to the flood disaster, there is a trend in the number rising,” said King. “We are seeing more new families that we haven’t seen before. They are new to asking for help and don’t know what’s available.”
Toys can still be donated at the Nye Dealership 1479 Genesee St. Oneida, NY 13421 Phone: 315-363-0600 or at Karing Kitchen, open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Karing Kitchen Cookbooks can be purchased through many local businesses, or they can be ordered at the church call 363-2450. To get more information on programs available and help for Christmas.
See Karing Kitchen on Facebook.