It Feels Good to Give
It’s the Season of Giving and many local organizations have kicked off their annual Christmas programs to help children and families in need have a joyous and special holiday.
There are so many ways you can get involved!
Saratoga Bridges
• Saratoga Bridges has provided a full range of professional services, programs and activities to those with intellectual disabilities and their families during the holiday season for more than 60 years. Their goal is to help these individuals pursue their life goals through knowledge, collaboration and experience, but they need your help to do so! Donations can be made to the Saratoga Bridges Foundation by mail located at 16 Saratoga Bridges Blvd, Ballston Spa, as well as through the phone by contacting the Saratoga Bridges office directly at 518-587-0723. Regular office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit Saratogabridges.org.
Operation Adopt a Soldier
• Operation Adopt a Soldier is always accepting items to include in care packages for those serving in the military. During the holiday season, they are collecting new, unopened toys for children in need. Donations can be dropped off at their building located at 4281 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For more information, visit OperationAdoptASoldier.com or contact Cliff, the founder and chairman at 518-260-9922 and OperationAdoptASoldierInc@gmail.com.
Mitten Tree
• Warm hands and hearts with The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center’s annual Mitten Tree Program. Members of the community are invited to contribute warm winter wear (new or handmade) to the Visitor Center Mitten Tree located at 297 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, through Saturday, January 9. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. until December 31. Winter hours begin January 1, 2026: 10 a.m. –4 p.m.
All items hung on the tree will be donated to local charitable organizations for distribution to those who need a little help staying warm this winter. For more information visit,
saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.com or discoversaratoga.org.
The Empty Stocking Project
• The Empty Stocking Project is hosted by the Saratoga County Children’s Committee in which “Friends”– individuals or corporate and community sponsors – are paired with individuals and families needing assistance during Christmas. Visit SaratogaChildrensCommittee.org for more information and to sponsor a child.
Franklin Community Center and The Giving Circle
• Franklin Community Center offers an incredible holiday assistance program to hundreds of Saratoga County children. Families are anonymously matched with donors who can then sponsor a child/family or host a toy drive. Monetary contributions are appreciated in addition to general gifts that will be given to the children of families who missed the sign-up deadline. If you are interested, contact holiday@franklincommunitycenter.org. Gifts and donations can be dropped off at the back door of 95 Washington Street, Saratoga, NY during business hours of 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In partnership with Franklin Community Center, The Giving Circle is continuing its mission to support families in the County during the holiday season. During the month of November, they will be collecting donations at the Stack N Stor at 885 Rock City Rd, Ballston Spa, NY anytime Monday through Friday during the hours of 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. As a bonus, if you’re in need of a storage unit, Stack N Stor is offering your first month free if you mention The Giving Circle! Visit Thegivingcircle.org if interested in learning more.
Sponsor a Family Program
• The New York Race Track Chaplaincy provides extensive services to workers in the racing industry is looking to assist its backstretch families through their Sponsor a Family Program. The sponsors will provide new winter clothing and a toy for each child in addition to a grocery store gift card for Christmas dinner. Sponsorships can be shared and can also be fulfilled with a financial contribution. Donations of any amount, as well as volunteers, are always graciously accepted and appreciated. Go to rtcany.org, email sponsor@rtcany.org, or call (516) 216-5196 to get involved.
Saratoga Senior Center
• There are a number of amazing ways to spread cheer at the Saratoga Senior Center this holiday: the center’s “Santas for Seniors” program allows donors to adopt a senior and grant them their wish list. Visit SaratogaSeniorCenter.org or call (518) 584-1621 for more details.
Toys for Tots
• The Capital Region Toys for Tots, the third largest Toys for Tots campaign in the world, is collecting new and unwrapped toys for needy children in the area. Go to ToysForTots.org to donate and identify one of their many convenient drop-off locations.
Toys for Toga
• Toys for Toga is returning with their massive county-wide campaign for the 13th year in a row! New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at over 100+ participating Saratoga County business locations from Nov. 3 until Dec. 12. Additionally, Druthers has brewed a Toys for Toga Winter Warm Ale that can be found not only at Druthers Brewing Company, but also in packs of four at beverage centers and grocery stores and on tap at select bars throughout the county. New this year, purchases of Saratoga Water and Sun Cruiser Iced Tea Vodka in Saratoga will support the foundation. A list of all donation locations, the option to make a monetary donation via the Toys for Toga GoFundMe page, and more information can be found at Decresente.com/toysfortogakickoff. All toys and donations will be evenly split between Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Human Services, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center. Businesses wishing to join should contact Roberto Cruz at r.cruz@ddcbev.com. Visit DiscoverSaratoga.org for a list of toy bin locations.