EVERY DOLLAR DONATED BUYS WARM CLOTHES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED.
Each fall, Rotary Club of Hamburg is proud to sponsor Warm the Children, a program which assists families in need throughout the Southtowns, before the cold winter sets in.
“Most of us know how to handle brutal WNY winter weather,” says Elizabeth Angelbeck, coordinator of Warm the Children for Rotary Club of Hamburg. “For many families, soaring heating costs, as well as the high cost of groceries and rent prevent them from being able to purchase new, warm winter clothing for their youngsters.” Last year, Warm the Children provided a record 563 children with new, winter clothes.
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 NBT Bank and community volunteers, who meet families at Walmart in Hamburg to select their clothing.
Last month, Rotary Club of Hamburg was honored to accept the program’s original logo artwork, created by famed presidential portrait artist, Herbert Abrams, whose paintings of George and Barbara Bush and Jimmy Carter hang in the White House. The artwork was donated to Hamburg Rotary by Warm the Children founder, Mack Stewart, just prior to his death last February. “The framed artwork, along with a dedication plaque and Warm the Children poster now hang in the Hamburg Town Library’s children’s section as a reminder of what a community like Hamburg can do to help its children,” says Angelbeck.
Early, generous support from West Herr Automotive Group, Frontier Central Retired Employees Association and Orchard Park Presbyterian Church is greatly appreciated. “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 we can, before the snow begins to fall,” explains Angelbeck.
Those wishing to contribute may do so by making checks payable to Warm the Children Fund, and either mailing or bringing donations to NBT Bank, 5999 S. Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075. Or, contributions may be made online at www.hamburgrotaryclub.org/SitePage/warm-the-children.