Each year, the Potsdam Holiday Fund helps to make the holidays happier for hundreds of families in our community who need our help.
The past year has been a very difficult one. The pandemic has caused financial hardship for many in the North Country, especially for those who lost their business, or their job, or have had to work several jobs to make ends meet.
Last year, the Potsdam Holiday Fund provided 475 children with vouchers for gifts, warm clothing, and distributed food vouchers to 186 families and 124 senior citizens. A total of 907 individuals were helped by the Potsdam Holiday Fund last year.
The Potsdam Holiday Fund serves families and senior citizens in need in Potsdam, Madrid, Hopkinton, Nicholville, Brasher Falls, Chase Mills, Fort Jackson, West Stockholm and Winthrop, N.Y.
“Santa’s Workshop,” where families come to pick out gifts for their children, will again take on a different form this year because there is no way that the program can safely gather everyone. The program also will be unable to safely fill and deliver food baskets. However, with your help, the Potsdam Holiday Fund will be able to provide clothing and gift vouchers for children, and food vouchers to families and senior citizens.
To do all of this, the fund partners with hundreds of generous donors who contribute cash and gifts, and, in usual times, dozens of dedicated volunteer “elves” drawn from all across our community.
As an all-volunteer organization, the fund is proud that 96 cents of every dollar it raises goes directly to help those it serves.
It’s easy to help. You can make a donation toward the purchase of gifts, warm clothing, and food. You can also sponsor or participate in fund-raising events like the virtual Hobble-Gobble Prediction Run/Walk on Saturday, November 20, or “Holiday Happiness” cards at LaVigne’s IGA in Potsdam.
If you would like to help, you can give online at potsdamholidayfund.org, or mail the form with your check made payable to the Potsdam Holiday Fund, PO Box 827, Potsdam, NY 13676.
You can also email the Potsdam Holiday Fund at info@potsdamholidayfund.org to request a giving card.
