2009 marks the 28th 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 holliday gifts for their children. Sadly, 27 years later we find oursleves 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 have registered with the WNY Holiday Partnership in need of its services this 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 14240-2667.
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
Fairgrounds Annual Holiday Lights Festival, Hamburg, Thursday-Sunday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 15
Hunt Real Estate, 4363 Main St., Amherst
8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Shea's Performing Arts Centert box office - Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., show times through intermission until Dec. 15
Niagara County and Niagara Falls
Cornerstone Community Credit Union, 6485 S. Transit Road Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tops International 7200 Niagara Falls Boulevard
Lewiston - Tops, 9060 Center Street
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 Niagara, the Salvation Army, the Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots program, The Buffalo News Neediest Fund, Central Referral Services, WNY Americorps., Ladies of Charity/Catholic Charities, The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo, Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau, F.A.T.H.E.R.S., WNY Hispanics and Friends Civic Assoc., Response to Love Center, New Creation Fellowship and Hamburg Youth Bureau.
Thank you to our partners: The United Way, The Food Bank of WNY, Wegman's, Benderson Development, Fisher Price and National Fuel.
