The French Club organized the annual food drive, which resulted in more than 1,400 items being collected, including more than 600 brought in by Mr. Howard's class.

The food was delivered to the Mooers Wesleyan Church by members of the NCCS boys varsity hockey team and French Club members.

In addition, about 30 NCCS students participated in the Salvation Army's bell-ringing program at Price Chopper in Champlain over three weekends, bringing in funds to help those in need.

The annual Toys for Kids program at Adirondack Medical Center was just one of many special events taking place in the spirit of the holiday season. AMC participated as a collection point in the regionwide program so every child in the area would have a present under the tree this Christmas.

The toys, donated by staff and members of the public, were evenly distributed to Adirondack Community Action Programs in Essex County and the United Way of Franklin County.

"The depth of the generosity of our staff towards those in need never ceases to amaze me and, believe me, it happens each and every day of the year," remarked AMC President and CEO Chandler Ralph.

Several departments at AMC "adopted" families who were not as fortunate as others. Individual departments donated items such as toys, clothing or books.

Similar "Adopt-A-Resident" programs took place at the AMC Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation facilities.

The Medical Center provided a free turkey for each AMC employee at Thanksgiving and a free Christmas Day meal for the employees who worked that day.

The Plattsburgh Elks Lodge 621 delivered gifts to veterans in area nursing homes at Christmas. The gifts were purchased and wrapped by Elks members to let veterans know they were remembered during the holidays.

The Elizabethtown-Lewis Chamber of Commerce contributed to three local giving programs during the holiday season: the Adirondack Community Action Programs toy drive, the Families First drive to provide warm winter clothes for families in need at their Water Street location in Elizabethtown and the Community Food Shelf, located at the Episcopal Parish Hall on Williams Street in Elizabethtown.

The Elizabethtown-Lewis Chamber of Commerce said it is adopting the Food Shelf on a year-round basis, because hunger knows no season.

Ward Lumber worked with two area agencies to collect items for those in need during the holiday season.

The Jay Store accepted toys for children of any age to support Adirondack Community Action Programs Inc. in Essex County.

Ward Lumber's Malone store accepted non-perishable food and gifts in support of the Adopt a Soldier program. These are being sent to soldiers at war.