The Unadilla Valley CSD community sprang into action in recent weeks to help their own as Project Santa is coming to town. This year, Project Santa will help 62 families – who have 145 children - to have a brighter Christmas, according to organizer Lorraine Ruffino.
Non-perishable foods were collected by our school-wide food drive. Perishable foods were purchased with money donated by businesses, as well as some items donated by businesses. Children were sponsored by UV faculty and staff as well as area businesses.
Chobani donated $500 toward perishable food also. Hannaford in Oneonta donated 90 cans of food and Chenango County Helping Families gave $825 to cover all of the hams and other perishable food purchases.
In addition to gifts for each child, each family gets a food basket with non-perishable food and perishable food.
"We reach out to the families and get a wish list and clothing sizes. We focus on the needs and wants, so sponsors know what the family needs," Mrs. Ruffino said,
Families came to the school on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to pick up their baskets and gifts.
The following businesses and organizations helped with the effort:
Stewart's, Service Pharmacy, Hannaford (Oneonta), Walmart (Norwich), Price Chopper
(Oneonta and Norwich), BJ's (Oneonta), Chobani, NYCM (Edmeston and
Sherburne), Preferred, New Berlin Rotary, New Berlin Fire Department,
Chenango County Helping Families, Inc, Norwich Tractor, Dakin Funeral
Home, Gilligan's, First Baptist Church South New Berlin, First Baptist
Church of New Berlin, and the New Berlin Police Department.