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Opinion: Potsdam Holiday Fund says thanks for generosity

Posted 1/18/22

To the Editor: Thanks to many generous people in our community, the Potsdam Holiday Fund was able to help hundreds of families in need in December -- families like this one, who wrote to say thank …

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Opinion: Potsdam Holiday Fund says thanks for generosity

Posted

To the Editor:

Thanks to many generous people in our community, the Potsdam Holiday Fund was able to help hundreds of families in need in December -- families like this one, who wrote to say thank you for the help she and her family received so many years ago:

“Twenty years ago I was in a very difficult financial situation. The Potsdam Holiday Fund helped me so much; my kids had a decent Christmas. I don’t have a lot of money and have moved from the area, but I would like to donate.” – Signed, A Grateful Mother

This year was an especially challenging time for those in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. Thanks to the generosity of many people, the Potsdam Holiday Fund was able to help 387 children and 261 adults from 156 families. In addition, 120 senior citizens and other adults in need received food assistance through the program. A total of 768 individuals were helped this year by the Potsdam Holiday Fund.

Because of COVID-19 concerns again this year, the Potsdam Holiday Fund again utilized an all-voucher system. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we were able to provide vouchers for gifts, warm clothing and food to these families – vouchers they were able to redeem at local businesses.

Despite the tough economic times, the true spirit of giving really came through in our community. We are hopeful that next year we’ll be able to return to our usual format and welcome back the hundreds of donors and volunteers who make the Potsdam Holiday Fund possible. Thank you so much!

Marylee Ballou
President, Potsdam Holiday Fund Inc.