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Each year volunteers collaborate with businesses and community groups to collect funds and assemble "Holidays in a basket," which are then delivered to Harrison families in financial crisis.
"Everyone likes to feel special around the holiday season, no matter their age. Three years ago the Holiday Project was started to spread holiday cheer to needy families right here in Harrison," said Ruth Singer, who is coordinating the Holiday Project for the second year in a row. "This initiative has become the feel-good project of the year, bringing our very own community together to help neighbors in need."
The tradition was first started in 2010 by Harrison resident Katherine Frankel, who worked with Nina Marraccini of the Harrison Food Pantry to deliver more than 70 packages to families in need. Since the Holiday Project was started, the number of families in need in Harrison has grown from 72 to 110, Singer said. This encompasses more than 156 residents, including 17 elderly people and 136 children.
Donations of $150 will go toward assembling gift baskets for families in need. The gift baskets will include a grocery gift card, a toy for each child, a small gift for parents and a pizza gift certificate. A small portion of the money raised will go towards stocking the Harrison Food Pantry's shelves for the holiday season.
Last year's Holiday Project brought in more than $17,000 for needy families through the donations of 83 individuals, businesses and organizations.
Donations are now being accepted for this year's efforts. If you would like to make a donation, make checks payable to "The Town of Harrison Holiday Project" and send them to Ruth Singer at 68 Sunnyridge Road, Harrison, NY 10528. If you are interested in getting involved in this year's project, contact Singer at ruru958@aol.com.
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