"OUR COMMUNITY IS AWESOME" Holiday Helpers drive a huge success!!!
 
By SLVFD News Room
December 4, 2016
 

We are happy to post a few pictures here, but they are simply not enough to express the outpouring of love and community expressed by so many.

The "Holiday Helpers" organization in Saranac Lake has been providing holiday cheer to area families in need for many years. Their mission is simple. Make sure needy children don't go without during the holidays. It is a mission that our community supports in a big way.

For the last few years the SLVFD has been hosting a drop off day for the community to have a centralized place and time to make their donations of a new, unwrapped present for a boy or a girl. Many individual folks from the community and many organizations graciously give and we could not feel better about being a part of this effort.

Earlier this year we were informed that the Holiday Helpers had already received 180 applications for holiday assistance and that number was rapidly approaching 200. The word was spread, and the response was overwhelming. As you look through the pictures it is truly heartwarming to watch a small pile of gifts become a huge pile of gifts in just 4 short hours.

Patti Ploof who helps coordinate the effort for Holiday Helpers was on hand. Patti said "We had small children bringing toys in today, as well as two young ones handing me several $1 bills and a handful of quarters. Brought me to tears. We also had several people drop toys off who have previously been on the receiving end of our services. They are now able to pay it forward. Truly a day to remember! "

We are truly moved by the generosity of our community. The SLVFD is proud to have participated in this community wide effort. Our community is why we do what we do. THANK YOU!!!

Donations are alway accepted. Here is the contact information for anyone wishing to contribute to Holiday Helpers:
PO Box 543, Saranac Lake or contact Patti Ploof at (518) 891-0037.
 
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A group of SLVFD members put up Christmas tree and a start with a pile of toys.
A group of SLVFD members put up Christmas tree and a start with a pile of toys.
 
Members of the community start adding to the pile.
Members of the community start adding to the pile.
Members of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad arrive with additions to the pile.
Members of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad arrive with additions to the pile.
 
Children adding to the pile.
Children adding to the pile.
The New York State Police arrive with toys collected by NYSP-Ray Brook.
The New York State Police arrive with toys collected by NYSP-Ray Brook.
 
The New York State Police arrive with toys collected by NYSP-Ray Brook.
The New York State Police arrive with toys collected by NYSP-Ray Brook.
The New York State Police arrive with toys collected by NYSP-Ray Brook.
The New York State Police arrive with toys collected by NYSP-Ray Brook.
 
Community members arrive with even more toys.
Community members arrive with even more toys.
Community members arrive with even more toys.
Community members arrive with even more toys.
 
SLVRS members adding more toys to the pile.
SLVRS members adding more toys to the pile.
Area first responders and members of the community working together to bring holiday cheer.
Area first responders and members of the community working together to bring holiday cheer.
 
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
 
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
The US Postal Service arrives with gifts collected from the Saranac Lake Postal Workers.
 
New York State Troopers on hand at the toy drive.
New York State Troopers on hand at the toy drive.
Area First Responders and the US Postal Service take a moment to pause for a photo. Present are The Saranac Lake Fire Department, Saranac Lake Rescue Squad, New York State Police, Department of Environmental Conservation and the Saranac Lake Post Office.
Area First Responders and the US Postal Service take a moment to pause for a photo. Present are The Saranac Lake Fire Department, Saranac Lake Rescue Squad, New York State Police, Department of Environmental Conservation and the Saranac Lake Post Office.
 
By around noon, the pile is growing...
By around noon, the pile is growing...
Cute...
Cute...
 
Area children delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
 
Community members delivering toys.
Community members delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
 
Community members delivering toys.
Community members delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
Area children delivering toys.
 
Community members delivering toys.
Community members delivering toys.
Community members delivering toys.
Community members delivering toys.
 
The Saranac Lake Community Gave Big Time!!! A HUGE PILE OF TOYS!!!
The Saranac Lake Community Gave Big Time!!! A HUGE PILE OF TOYS!!!
Workers pack up toys for delivery to Northstar Industries, where Holiday Helpers will distribute to the children in need.
Workers pack up toys for delivery to Northstar Industries, where Holiday Helpers will distribute to the children in need.
 
SLVRS President Julie Harjung poses with SLVFD Assistant Chief James D'Ambro.
SLVRS President Julie Harjung poses with SLVFD Assistant Chief James D'Ambro.
Workers pack up toys for delivery to Northstar Industries, where Holiday Helpers will distribute to the children in need.
Workers pack up toys for delivery to Northstar Industries, where Holiday Helpers will distribute to the children in need.
 
Workers pack up toys for delivery to Northstar Industries, where Holiday Helpers will distribute to the children in need.
Workers pack up toys for delivery to Northstar Industries, where Holiday Helpers will distribute to the children in need.
Two truck loads delivered to Holiday Helpers. Here SLVFD's Rescue 147 and an Ambulance from the SLVRS back up to be unloaded at North Star Industries...
Two truck loads delivered to Holiday Helpers. Here SLVFD's Rescue 147 and an Ambulance from the SLVRS back up to be unloaded at North Star Industries...