2012 marks the 31st year of The Buffalo News News Neediest Campaign

When The News Neediest fund kicked off in 1982, there was an immediate need to help those in our community who could not afford holiday gifts for their children. Sadly, 30 years later we find ourselves being recognized as the third poorest city in the country with a high unemployment rate. It's no surprise that more than 12,000 families were helped by the WNY Holiday Partnership last year.

Please join The News and its many partners in making sure that no child in our community is forgotten during the holidays.

Consider making a cash donation to The News Neediest Fund. All donations go to purchasing holiday meals and gifts. Because of the efforts of local companies and agencies, every donated dollar goes back into the community.

If you're from this area, you know we are the City of Good Neighbors.

You may make a donation using PayPal by clicking on the Donate button above or send a check to The News Neediest c/o The Buffalo News, PO Box 2667, Buffalo, NY 14240-9873.

If you are purchasing gifts, we especially need help finding gifts for children ages 8-12. Here are some suggestions:

• Advanced Legos
• Arts and crafts kits
• Athletic and sporting goods equipment
• Board games
• Books
• Music CDs/CD Players
• Gift certificates
• Hand-held electronic games, iPods
• Personal care/health and beauty items
• Jewelry/hair accessories/watches
• MP3 players/Movies/DVDs
• Skateboards, rollerblades/scooters
• Video games

Gifts of unwrapped toys will be accepted at the following locations:

The Buffalo News Lobby, Washington and Scott streets, downtown Buffalo

7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (for directions, click here)

 

Wegmans - Toys only/All locations in Erie and Niagara counties, 24 hours daily

 

Shea's Performing Arts Centert box office - Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., show times through intermission until Dec. 15

 

Fairgrounds Annual Holiday Lights Festival, Hamburg, Friday-Sunday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 25 through Dec. 15

 

HUNT Real Estate Corp.

Location		Hours
Amherst Office 4363 Main St. Amherst, N.Y. 14226 716-832-4838		Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM Sat 9:00AM - Noon Sun 9:00AM - Noon
East Aurora Office 650 Main St. East Aurora, N.Y. 14052 716-652-1234		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Hamburg Office 485 Sunset Drive Hamburg, N.Y. 14075 716-648-2300		Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM Sat 9:30AM - 2:00PM Sun 9:30AM - 12:30PM
Kenton Office 2835 Sheridan Drive Tonawanda, N.Y. 14150 716-834-5400		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Lancaster Office 1765 Como Park Blvd. Lancaster, N.Y. 14086 716-681-3900		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM Sat 10:00AM - 2:00PM Sun 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Lewiston Office 475 Center Street Lewiston, N.Y. 14092 716-754-4450		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Lockport Office Ulrich City Centre Suite 5 Lockport, N.Y. 14094 716-434-6266		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Metropolitan Office 720 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, N.Y. 14222 716-883-2200		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Orchard Park Office 4283 S. Buffalo Road Orchard Park, N.Y. 14127 716-662-9701		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM Sat 9:00AM - Noon
West Seneca Office Southgate Plaza Corner of Seneca & Union 1110 Union Road West Seneca, N.Y. 14224 716-675-4868		Mon - Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM Sat 10:00AM - 2:00PM Sun 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Wheatfield Office 3571 Niagara Falls Blvd #4 Wheatfield, N.Y. 14120 716-694-0400		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sat 9:00AM - Noon Sun 9:00AM - Noon
Williamsville/Clarence Office 8780 Sheridan Drive Williamsville, N.Y. 14221 716-633-5350		Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Williamsville/Village Office 5570 Main Street 1st Floor Williamsville, N.Y. 14221 716-633-0300		Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM

 

Dipson Theatres

Location		Hours
Amherst Theatre 3500 Main St. Amherst, N.Y. 14226 716-834-7655		Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM
Eastern Hills Cinema 4545 Transit Road Williamsville, N.Y. 14221 716-632-1080		Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM
Flix Stadium 10 4901 Transit Road Lancaster, N.Y. 14086 716-668-3549		Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM
Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre 639 Main St. Buffalo, N.Y. 14203 716-855-3022		Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM
McKinley 6 Theatres 3701 McKinley Parkway Buffalo, N.Y. 14219 716-824-3479		Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM
North Park Theatre 1428 Hertel Avenue Buffalo, N.Y. 14216 716-836-7411		Mon - Fri 6:30 PM - 9:30PM Sat & Sun 1:00 PM - 9:30PM

Niagara County and Niagara Falls

 

Cornerstone Community Credit Union

Locations		Hours
6485 S. Transit Road Lockport, NY 14094		Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
55 Stevens St. Lockport, NY 14094		Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5 State St. Middleport, NY 14105		Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
107 Main St. N. Tonawanda, NY 14120		Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Wegmans on Military Road, Niagara Falls - 24hrs

 

Tops Friendly Markets in Lewiston, 9060 Center Street - 6AM - 10PM

 

Edward Jones - 738 Cayuga Street, Lewiston - 9AM - 5PM

 

Tin Pan Alley - 775 Cayuga Street, Lewiston - 9AM - 5PM

 

General Motors Components Holdings, LLC - 200 Upper Mountain Road, Lockport - 9AM - 5PM

 

If you need help for the holidays, please call 2-1-1 or 1(888) 696-9211 before Dec 8 to get application information.

 

All recipients of the News Neediest Fund will be duplicate checked by the WNY Holiday Partnership to assure that families are not served by more than one agency. The WNY Holiday Partnership is a collaboration between The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, The United Way of Greater Niagara, The Niagara County Partnership, the Salvation Army, the Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots program, The Buffalo News Neediest Fund, 211 WNY - Olmsted Center for Sight, The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc., Ladies of Charity/Catholic Charities, The Boys and Girls Club of the Northtowns, Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau, F.A.T.H.E.R.S., Response to Love Center, New Creation Fellowship, Hamburg Youth Bureau, Community Action Organization of Erie County, Expressway Assembly of God, Fellowship Hill Ministries, Olivencia Community Center, Resurection Lutheran church Food Pantry, True Bethel Charities and PUSH.

Distribution of holiday meals purchased through cash donations to the News Neeediest Fund will be coordinated through the Food Bank of WNY.

Thank you to our partners: The United Way, The Food Bank of WNY, Wegman's, Benderson Development, Fisher Price and National Fuel.