To the Editor:
Dec. 3 brought the 33rd year of Share a Caring Christmas at Nye Automotive in Oneida. This year in our local community, we had more than 500 families that benefited from the efforts of this wonderful annual event and the number of families will continue to grow right up to Christmas Eve. This year we had over 30 local businesses that donated to this annual event. We couldn’t be more proud of the volunteers, sponsors, and overwhelming support that was witnessed firsthand.
Dec. 3 brought the 33rd year of Share a Caring Christmas at Nye Automotive in Oneida. This year in our local community, we had more than 500 families that benefited from the efforts of this wonderful annual event and the number of families will continue to grow right up to Christmas Eve. This year we had over 30 local businesses that donated to this annual event. We couldn’t be more proud of the volunteers, sponsors, and overwhelming support that was witnessed firsthand.
The refreshments were flowing and many people couldn’t believe they were free! Thanks to the many local businesses that provided them: Ye Olde Pizza Pub, Top’s Markets, Little Caesars Pizza, Oneida Madison Dairy Coop, SavOn, Dunkin Donuts, Center Street Market, Servomation, Pepi’s Pizza, H.P. Hood, Bimbo Bakery, Queensboro Dairy Store, Wal-Mart, Price Chopper and Jreck Subs.
Thank you to the Madison County Dairy Princess and her ambassadors. Their attendance reinforced the importance of supporting our local community. Special thanks to Bear Paw Printing who printed our flyers and programs.
To our volunteer that has been helping every year and even made toys just like Santa himself, Russell Eastman, thank you from the bottom of our heart! To the two elves from AmeriCU, Rachel Siderine and Christine Rurak your seamless organization of the day’s performers was tremendous, thank you. To those of you who just stepped up and pitched in young and old, we may not remember your name but your kindness warmed our hearts. Many hands made light work.
The showroom sparkled with holiday color thanks to decorations provided by Oneida Floral and Gifts, Romagnoli’s Christmas Tree Farm and Lowe’s. We also can’t forget Campbell Dean Funeral Home and J. Homer Ball Funeral Home for donating chairs so attendees would have a place to rest and enjoys the sights and sounds of the holiday season.
Thank you to Oneida Fire Department for bringing Santa safely to the Nye Ford Showroom and to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to greet children and listen to their wish list. Also, Direct Factory Furniture for donating Santa’s chair.
This year we need to say thank you to some local business that stepped up and collected toys and surprised us beyond words, those businesses are: Lowe’s, Big Lots and St. Pat’s Elementary.
We cannot forget the bands and choruses: St Patrick’s School Choir, Fritz’s Polka Band, EA McAllister Elementary, Rome Catholic School, VVS Vocal and String Ensemble, VVS Instrumental Group, Chittenango Select Choir, Chittenango Brass Quartet, Chittenango Chamber Orchestra, DeRuyter High School Band and Chorus. The performances were amazing and filled the showroom with the spirit of the season. Their hard work and dedication were apparent. To the families of our performers, thank you for coming to listen and supporting your child and others in their musical endeavors.
We would like to give an extra special thank you to AmeriCU, Community Bank NA, Jim and Nancy Asher and Auto Finishers for their generous cash donations which allowed us to help more families making this year the most successful in recent years. Special thanks also go out to PAC 99 who taped the festivities for those that could not attend. We also need to give huge thanks to Big FROG 104 and Lite 98.7 for stepping in and taking over for the loss of no longer having WMCR, who broadcasted this wonderful event for 31years, The Kallet Theater and Oneida Dispatch for the promotion and coverage of this year’s event. Lastly, to Melissa King, words cannot express the gratitude for all that you do for our community and being our MC this year.
On behalf of the NYE Automotive Group again we’d like to thank all those that helped to make the 2016 Share a Caring Christmas a huge success and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
William F. Nye, President, Nye Automotive Group