Grace Hawley, left, presented a $500 check to Julie Vaisey, right, who directs the Neighborhood Center serving Colton, Pierrepont and Parishville. In addition to being a member of the town board, Hawley chairs the town’s Winterfest Planning Committee. Every year the committee donates funds and/or food to the Neighborhood Center through festival contributions to help people in need. Photo by Ruth McWilliams.

COLTON -- The Colton Winterfest Planning Committee recently donated $500 during the town board meeting to the Neighborhood Center that serves Colton, Pierrepont and Parishville.

After the presentation, Grace Hawley, committee chair, explained that one of the reasons “Winterfest” got started about 20 years ago was to help the Neighborhood Center.

Julie Vaisey, who directs the Neighborhood Center, indicated the funds will be used to help low income working and non-working families of the community with heating and other priority needs.

Over the years Winterfest donations have included cash as well as canned goods and other packaged food items.

During the 2015 winter festival funds were raised through craft fair vendor fees, concert ticket sales and donations, silent auction proceeds plus contributions made by Phyllis Dumas as the quilt show vendor and by the Colton Methodist Church as sponsor of the white elephant sale.

In addition to the town’s donation, Hawley reported a contribution will be made by AmVets Post 262 which hosted the new frying pan toss activity this year.

“The town really appreciates all those who contributed in so many ways including event organizers and other sponsors of the more than thirty activities who made Winterfest such a fun time for people to get out and participate. Without their involvement we wouldn’t be able to cover costs, raise funds and contribute to the Neighborhood Center,” Hawley said.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Neighborhood Center can contact Julie Vaisey by calling 244-0069.

In September the Colton Winterfest Planning Committee will officially begin working on next year’s festival scheduled for January 29-31, 2016.

In the meantime individuals and organizations wanting to be involved can contact Grace Hawley by calling 262-2439.