Out of sight gas prices.  Rising food costs.  Higher heating bills.  These are just a few of the serious challenges so many families are dealing with this year.
 
Rotary Club of Hamburg is proud to sponsor Warm the Children, which provides new, warm, winter clothing to boys and girls from families who reside in Hamburg, Angola, Blasdell, Derby, Boston, Eden, North Collins, Lake View and Brant. Last year, as a result of the kindness and generosity of donors in the community, Warm the Children brought joyful smiles to approximately 400 youngsters in need! 
 
“As our Club begins its 15th year of coordinating Warm the Children for local families in need, we want to express our appreciation to the community for its generous support,” says Elizabeth Angelbeck, who directs the program with schools, churches and social service agencies in the Southtowns.  100% of all contributions go toward the purchase of new clothing for children in need and is fully tax-deductible.  All administrative costs are absorbed by Rotary, while Club members are responsible for program coordination, with assistance from Evans Bank and community volunteers, who meet families at Walmart in Hamburg to select their clothing.
 
The generous support of the Louise K. Mokadam Family Trust, National Grid and other organizations in the community have allowed the program to begin early this fall.  “We want to encourage those who wish to contribute to Warm the Children to do so as early as possible, so we may send as many families to Walmart as possible before the snow begins to fall,” says Angelbeck.
 
Those wishing to contribute may do so by making checks payable to Warm the Children Fund, and either mailing or bringing donations to Evans Bank, 5999 S. Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075.  Or, contributions may be made online at www.hamburgrotaryclub.org/SitePage/warm-the-children.