Cayuga County Christmas Elf accepting toy donations
A local program that provides gifts to Cayuga County families in need during the holiday season is now accepting donations.
The Cayuga County Christmas Elf program is accepting toy donations through Wednesday, Dec. 4, volunteer Carolyn Moore told The Citizen. They can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the program's organizer, Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca, at 89 York St. in Auburn. The Christmas Elf Amazon wish list can be found at caphelps.org/christmas-elf .
The program recently set up shop at the Fingerlakes Mall Event Center in Aurelius. Families will be able to go there to pick up their gifts at appointed times on Wednesday, Dec. 11, Moore said. Families must be referred to the program by a Cayuga County social services agency, human services agency or school district employee.
Children's wish lists are sent to the Christmas Elf, Moore said, and popular items this year included Barbie dolls, remote-controlled cars and toys based on Spider-Man and the animated show "Bluey." Volunteers try to find each child a small toy and a large toy on their list from among the donations, or buy them using donated funds. Monetary donations are accepted year-round.
All children in the program, who must be 18 or younger, also receive a box of crayons, a coloring book and a reading book.
The program assisted 540 families last year, Moore said, with 1,339 children getting presents. A Christmas Elf volunteer for more than 30 years, Moore said she likes being able to help families in need.
"Christmas should be special, and we want to help make Christmas special," she said.
The program also needs boxes for presents. To donate boxes, call CAP Cayuga/Seneca at (315) 255-1703 ext. 102 to set up a time to bring them to the mall's Event Center.
Moore thanked those who donate to the Christmas Elf — and the volunteers, many retired, who make it possible for the gifts to reach the children.
"This is such a generous community," she said. "We just could not do it without the community or the volunteers."
Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or . Love
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