Through Cartons For Christmas, all segments of our community come together annually to help local families who are struggling. We weren’t sure what to expect during this pandemic year and how we could respond to an anticipated increase in families. Due to the reduced number of volunteers, we intentionally scaled back food donations to replace with gift cards.
We were overwhelmed by the response of our community in the generous donations of gift cards, money, toys, and some food. We thank all individuals for their donations and participation, especially the 72 folks who delivered the goods to waiting families.
In December we served 156 families (420 people) delivering gift cards, some food, and 208 toys to young children.
We recognize these businesses who support us by contributing gift cards, toys, food, and boxes: Tops Market, Colby Homestead Farms, Victory Packaging in Liverpool, Spencerport Rotary, Town & Country Eyecare Associates, Lattimore Physical Therapy of Spencerport and also the Taylor Elementary Guidance Office.
We are indebted to Scout Troop 165 (Frank Visca) for loading vehicles. For handling many deliveries, we thank Girl Scout Troop 60408 (Tracy Magin) and parents, Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department Explorers (Chris Damon), Gates Volunteer Ambulance (Rich Verdouw), and The Knights of Columbus Council No. 7707.
Our financial backers include J. William Jewelers, St. John the Evangelist Church, St. John’s Mens Club, First Congregational Church, Ogden Baptist Church, Ogden Baptist Church Auxiliary, Deacon Fund Ogden Baptist Church, Spencerport United Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club of Spencerport, Spencerport Lions Club, Barton’s Parkside Hots, Barefoot Management Inc., Ferris Goodridge Unit No. 330, Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce, Spencerport Federal Credit Union, Spencerport Firemen’s Benevolent Association Exempts, Spencerport Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Spencerport Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and Big M.
We thank transporters of food, toys, boxes, and shopping carts: Greg Dorgan, Bruce Kolb and Steve McCagg, Erin, Sid and Cam Khuns, Jim and Joann Grassi, and Lynn Phillips. We depend on our scribe Ginny Mosher, and Helen Grigg and Lynn Bianchi for keeping order in packing, and Marcia Meyer and Alicia Saladyga for keeping deliveries on track.
A great effort by our Toy Coordinator, Donna Granger, ensured that all young children received a gift. Donna is grateful to her team of wrappers and organizers – Mikayla Granger, Ursina Gonzalez and Lynn Bianchi and to Girl Scout Troop 60727 (Jeannie Glozer) who shopped for and wrapped toys. We thank them and our Toy Tree sponsors Nancy Bodhorn (Spencerport Federal Credit Union), Ginny Swarthout (The Unique Shop) and Cathy Fowler (Fowler’s Canaltown Wine & Spirits). We are so appreciative of the folks who selected the angels and bought and wrapped gifts for the children.
We appreciate the energy, thoughtfulness, and inventiveness our committee employs to attack this effort each year, but especially during COVID. Thank you Lynn and Danielle Phillips, Jim and Joann Grassi, and Donna Granger.
We wish to thank our sponsors, the Ecumenical Council of Churches – St. John the Evangelist, First Congregational Church, United Methodist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Ogden Baptist Church, Ogden Presbyterian Church, and Spencerport Wesleyan Church.
A family we helped this year says it best: “My family and I would like to say to you and everyone involved with CFC, thank you again for this Blessing and we are so appreciative and grateful for everything. God Bless!”
Maureen and Glenn Granger
Cartons For Christmas
