POTSDAM -- It's not too late to donate to the Potsdam Holiday Fund, a non-profit organization of volunteers that provides new toys, warm winter clothing, boots and food to local families and senior citizens in need.

The program covers Potsdam, Madrid, Hopkinton, Nicholville, Brasher Falls, Chase Mills, Fort Jackson, West Stockholm and Winthrop.

Each year, the Potsdam Holiday Fund helps to make the holidays happier for hundreds of families in our community who need our help. This year the fund hopes to provide more than 600 children with gifts, books, and warm clothing; and distribute food baskets and vouchers to more than 350 families and senior citizens. Gifts and clothing will be distributed on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16, and food baskets will be delivered Wednesday, Dec. 20.

"The need is great, but we know that the compassion and holiday spirit in our community is strong," says Potsdam Holiday Fund President Pam Yurgartis. "And as an all-volunteer organization, we’re proud that 96 cents of every dollar we raise goes directly to help our neighbors in need."

Gifts to the Potsdam Holiday Fund may be mailed to Potsdam Holiday Fund Inc., PO Box 827, Potsdam, NY 13676.

The Potsdam Holiday Fund Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization and contributions to the fund are tax deductible, as allowed by the IRS.

More information about the program is available at potsdamholidayfund.org.