Volunteers and CAP staff Kim Lorraine, Jill Williams, Sue Geer, Nancy Joerger, Donna Tornatore, Sandy, Tim and Grace Lombardi, Angela and Sawyer Smith, Santa, Elf and Marisa Scott spent the morning distributing Toys for Tots Dec. 17 at New Beginnings Church in Wampsville. Thanks to the program and all the volunteers, more than 300 families in Madison County received a little extra help this year putting toys under the tree.
Community Action Partnership News
(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2014) The aroma of hot cocoa mingled with the scent of sugar cookies, a jolly “Ho Ho Ho” rang through the air, and gifts were delivered by helpers to families in need. Although this may sound like the magic of the North Pole on Christmas, it was actually volunteers bringing to life the Toys for Tots pickup days Dec. 16 through 18 across Madison County.
The Gorman Foundation Community Center in Oneida, New Beginnings Church in Wampsville and Cornell Cooperative Extension in Morrisville, came to life as families stopped in to pick up toys discreetly tucked in black bags, while kids had the chance to visit with Santa.
The snowy weather added to the festive atmosphere and all were greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces. Even Santa took time out of his busy schedule to help out.
The Toys for Tots program is a US Marine sponsored program that is brought to our local community in partnership with Community Action Partnership for Madison County (CAP). Over 300 families in Madison County signed up for the program and thanks to the many generous donations of toys and funds made by community members, there will be hundreds of children with big smiles on their faces on Christmas day.
This year, volunteers from the Madison County Soil and Water District, the Gorman Foundation, ARC, the Health Department, Church on the Rock, New Beginnings Church, Madison County Head Start, Bridges, and CAP brought the sprit of Christmas to families in our community and helped them feel supported and respected in their time of need.
“This event is so inspiring because people that would otherwise be strangers pull together to do something kind for families and children that need a little helping hand this holiday season,” Said Kim Lorraine, local coordinator of the events from CAP.