SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Hilton today announced that the $9,100 raised during their 25th annual “Breakfast with Santa” event will benefit Beyond My Battle, an organization that provides support and services to those living with the stress of an illness or disability. Continuing their tradition of supporting local charities, a donation check was presented to Martel Catalano, co-founder and executive director of Beyond My Battle by the hotel’s General Manager Thomas Olsen and Director of Sales and Marketing Joanna Fairs.

“The team at The Saratoga Hilton looks forward to this annual event, that allows us to support a local Saratoga County organization that is helping in our community,” said Olsen. “This year, we’re proud to donate the proceeds of the event to Beyond My Battle, an organization that reflects the season’s spirit of giving by providing support to those going through a difficult time.” 

Saratoga Springs-based, Beyond My Battle is focused on reducing the stress and anxiety felt by those diagnosed with a serious illness, disease, or disability through support services and education resources. Through programs, Beyond My Battle uses scientifically backed research to reduce stress and improve their mental health through workshops, e-books, podcasts, and more. The program also has a peer-facilitated online community that provides a safe and open space to allow those undergoing serious illness or disability to connect and engage with others in a similar situation. 

For more information on The Saratoga Hilton, visit www.thesaratogahotel.com or call (518) 584-4000.  Follow The Saratoga Hilton on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

CAPITAL REGION —In 2019, the Hudson River Community Credit Union (HRCCU) conducted its annual year-end Give4Kids Matching Campaign in its continued effort to support local youth centers in the communities it serves. 

This year’s campaign raised an impressive $25,500 to support local youth centers in the Capital Region. Recipients included the Saratoga Regional YMCA Corinth Branch’s After School Enrichment Program, Glens Falls Area Youth Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area. Each location received a total of $8,500 to help support their efforts in the community.

Over the past seven years, HRCCU has raised more than $150,000 for local youth centers within the communities it serves. Donations have been used to purchase new equipment, supplies and provide student scholarships.

In 2020, HRCCU will again support local youth centers through its new fundraising event: The Great Inflatable Race. The fundraiser, which will take place on September 19, 2020 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Greenwich, is designed to provide fun for the whole family while supporting a great cause. Registration for the event is now open to the public at https://newenglandruns.com/event/great-inflatable-race-saratoga-springs/ or https://www.hrccu.org/thegreatinflatablerace/.

Hudson River Community Credit Union (HRCCU) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative whose mission is to make life better for its members. Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school located within Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Rensselaer counties or the Towns of Cohoes, Watervliet or Green Island and their immediate families are eligible to join.

Week One January 17-23:
“Frozen Soap Bubble” Terry Decorah

Week Two January 24-30:
“Winter Wonderland” Lori Seymour

Week Three January 31- February 6:
“On Saratoga Lake” Jean Tierney Tarrant

Week Four February 7- 13:
“Trains Once Travelled Here” Bernie Fabry

Week Five February 14- 20:
“Battlefield Winter” Craig Horneck

GALWAY/PROVIDENCE — Saratoga PLAN rang in the New Year by conserving 168 acres in the Towns of Galway and Providence. A conservation easement restricting the property from development in the future was generously donated by Dolores Arste and David Hickey. 

The land protected from future development includes 137 acres of natural woodland and habitat and 31 acres that will remain private, including woods, a residence, horse barns and pastureland. 

Meandering through these woods, it’s hard to miss the enchantments of the land. The scent of the fern-carpeted forest awakens the senses and the aptly named Barkersville Trails, once grounds for sled-dog training, come to life with the whistling wind. A tributary to the Glowegee Creek winds its way through the woodlands, conversing in gurgles with passersby before going on its merry way, flowing into the Kayaderosseras and then to Saratoga Lake. 

Arste’s daughter, Deanna Hadley, reflects on returning to Galway after 30 years. “I realized at that time the true beauty that my mother had seen so many years before. And when she spoke to me about what she wanted to do with her land it seemed that there was no other way,” she said at PLAN’s annual Conservation Hero celebration, where Arste and Hickey were being honored among other individuals for their commitment to conservation in Saratoga County.  “[The property] doesn’t need to be developed, it just needs to be beautiful.. and [a place] that people can enjoy no matter what’s going on in the world,” Hadley added.

Indeed, the public will soon be able to enjoy the splendor of the oasis. Property owners Arste and Hickey who are horseback riding enthusiasts are graciously allowing public access for hiking and horseback riding on the trails, which are still being developed and are not yet open.

Through the efforts of Saratoga PLAN’s Monday Steward group, a dedicated group of individuals that work on trail maintenance projects year-round, as well as Death Wish Coffee employees, just over 2 miles of trails were developed in late 2019. The winding trails that jump streams and parallel stone walls are anticipated to open in early 2020. Arste and Hickey hope that over time, their property can connect with others to create a longer system of backcountry trails. 

Trail enthusiasts donated approximately $25,000 so that PLAN could always uphold the development restrictions and maintain the trails. A $19,000 grant from Dockstader Charitable Trust covered survey, legal, and title insurance fees among others. Saratoga County Grants with Town of Galway awarded $10,000 to PLAN for the development of trails. The Town of Galway Highway Department developed the parking area. 

For more information, call 518-587-5554, or visit saratogaplan.org

SARATOGA — Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) found loving homes for 170 dogs and cats in 2019, and their new goal is to help 220 pets and people find each other in 2020. 

Wendy Mongillo, H.O.P.E. Founder, expresses the foundation’s appreciation for the community’s compassion and generous support which enables them to continue their mission to find homes for orphaned pets: 

“We recently held our Annual Gala celebrating over 17 years of helping people and pets find each other.  Our special guest speaker and M.C. for the event, Steve Caporizzo, and our volunteer speakers Kristina Kline and Karyn O’Byrne shared from their hearts, and Melissa Sgambelluri brought the house to tears with her song “Rescue Me.”  Steve, Melissa and her band, our wonderful speakers, our generous supporters, the photographers, and the gala committee together made it a truly magical evening.

2019 has been a fantastic year for H.O.P.E. thanks to the kindness and generosity of all of you.”

2020 has big plans for H.O.P.E, as well. “We are so excited to announce the opening of the new H.O.P.E. Pet Adoption and Education Center in Wilton Mall in 2020. We will be housing and adopting out cats there, with adoptable dogs visiting on special weekends. We will be having many animal-related educational workshops and fun events like Cat Yoga and Cat Café days, as well as a pet food pantry, so stay tuned to our website.The increased visibility at Wilton Mall will be sure to increase adoptions, and that’s what it is all about! We thank you in advance from the animals, the volunteers and the H.O.P.E. Board of Directors for your tax-deductible year-end gifts which can be made on our website www.hopeanimalrescue.org, or by check.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Local charity Kelly’s Angels will celebrate 10 years of helping local children and families with a community gala on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Canfield Casino. 

“This gala will pay tribute to all of our contributors and friends whose generosity has made possible all of the help we’ve given local kids and families so far,” said NewsChannel 13 reporter/anchor Mark Mulholland, founder of Kelly’s Angels, in a statement. “We promise it will be the party of the decade.” 

Made up entirely of volunteers, Kelly’s Angels helps Capital Region families and kids whose lives have been forever changed by cancer or other life-threatening illness. Mulholland established the charitable organization in 2009 to honor his late wife, Kelly. 

Kelly Mulholland was a wife, mother and local schoolteacher who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 37. 

In her memory, Kelly’s Angels provides “Fun Grants” to children who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer as well as college scholarships to local high school seniors who’ve overcome significant adversity. The group also provides “Angel Aid” to help families currently struggling with a life-threatening illness and “Angel Hugs” to surviving spouses. All proceeds from the gala will support the continued work of Kelly’s Angels.

For more information and for tickets to the Kelly’s Angels: 10 Years of Love Gala, go to: www.kellysangelsinc.org.