To the Editor:

This is the time of year when we not only look forward to spending time with our family and friends, but also a time when we really think about those less fortunate.

The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Angel Adopt a Family program is currently taking place.  This program benefits families in the Guilderland School District that are in need or have fallen on hard times.

This year especially we seem to have an abundance of families asking for warm clothes and shoes. This means that children and families in our own community really need us this year.

It could be someone we know who is struggling in ways we are too fortunate to think about ourselves — our neighbor, co-worker, or the person in front of us at the grocery store who has to make a choice every week to pay a bill versus buying groceries that week.

If anyone is interested in helping out, we have a list of what families need and toys or gifts that children are asking for this year. Most of them do not ask for much, and every child should be able to open up a toy on Christmas morning.

I know that most of us cannot imagine being a child with no present to open on Christmas, or a struggling parent who might not be able to put anything under the tree this year for our children.

For more information or to request an Angel, stop by the chamber (at 2050 Western Ave., Star Plaza Guilderland, upstairs offices) to pick up one, or you can call us at 456-6611, or e-mail me at egauthier@guilderlandchamber.com. Wrapped, labeled, gifts or gift cards can be dropped off to the chamber up until Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Thank you and Happy Holidays from the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce

Erika Gauthier
Interim-President
The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce