Holiday Generosity Shines Through CRCF-Supported Programs
Collaborations with nonprofits, volunteers, and local donors provide gifts, essentials, and hope to families county-wide
Pictured: Members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department posing after the completion of the Santa Sheriff program.
OLEAN - “Growing Good” isn’t just the mantra of the Community Foundation - it’s the driving force behind holiday generosity reaching those who need it most.
This year, CRCF-supported programs, along with dedicated nonprofit and community partners, helped hundreds of children and families celebrate the holidays through gift-giving initiatives, including The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Interfaith Caregivers’ Gift Tree, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Santa Sheriff program.
After a decade-long hiatus in the Angel Tree program, overwhelming community support ensured that every child enrolled in the program was adopted. Angel Trees were emptied quickly, with some being emptied multiple times. The trees were placed at local businesses, with organizations, churches, and families stepping up to meet every need.
In addition to toys, a partnership with Christ United Methodist Church provided new pillows and pajamas for many children. Volunteers worked long hours coordinating pickups and deliveries for dozens of families, a challenge that was met with determination and gratitude. In total, the Angel Tree program served 245 children and 99 families.
Captain Megan Moretz expressed her thanks to CRCF and Interfaith Caregivers for supporting The Salvation Army as they branched out to bring the Angel Tree program back to Cattaraugus County after years of collaborating with Interfaith Caregivers on the Gift Tree initiative.
The Gift Tree program also saw remarkable success this holiday season, serving 54 families - including senior citizens, veterans, and disabled adults - exceeding its original goal of 49 families.
A $1,778 grant from the Carroll and Dolores Anstaett Gift Tree Fund at CRCF played a meaningful role in the program, helping provide additional gifts and support to recipients throughout the county. Meals on Wheels drivers were instrumental in reaching homebound individuals in the area.
“The Dolores and Carroll Anstaett Gift Tree Fund through CRCF provided funds to purchase Olean Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificates for each of our program participants,” said Julie Hall, Interfaith Caregivers’ Executive Director. “Because these certificates can be spent at numerous locations, they provided discretionary spending for each recipient to round out their holiday celebrations.”
The program also benefited from a combination of dedicated adopters, staff coordination, and volunteer support, including interns from St. Bonaventure University.
Completing the season of giving, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office concluded its annual Santa Sheriff program on December 19th, with School Resource Officers delivering gifts directly to families in need. This year, the program supported 18 families and 53 children. Since 2012, the Santa Sheriff Fund at CRCF has made possible nearly $99,000 in grants in support of the Santa Sheriff program.
“What makes these programs so special is the way our community shows up for one another,” said Kirk Windus, CRCF Executive Director. “CRCF is proud to support the organizations and volunteers who work tirelessly to make sure families, seniors, and children experience the joy of the holiday season.”
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive, and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, healthcare, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call 716-301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).