Girl Scouts, TACB Elves spread holiday cheer in Trumansburg

In the spirit of the holiday season, two local groups are spreading warmth and joy in the community.

The Trumansburg Girl Scouts, under the leadership of Jenna Stearns and Angie Gemignani, are hard at work organizing a free holiday market at the upcoming Winterfest so children can pick out gifts for their families at no cost. 

Community members can help the mission by donating new or gently used items by Dec. 1, such as knickknacks, unworn jewelry or toys. The troop can’t accept clothes, food or stuffed animals. Donation boxes have been placed at Trumansburg Elementary School, Trumansburg Middle School and Shur-Save. 

The holiday market will be held in the NAPA building during Winterfest on Dec. 2. The space was donated to the Girl Scouts for their free market. Other local troops will also be at NAPA with hot cocoa and cookie decorating. 

A couple of the Girl Scouts fondly remember a free holiday market from around five years ago and hope to recreate the same memory for other children in Trumansburg.

“Kids can come in, they’ll get a ticket to get two free items and pick out a gift,” said Gemignani. “We’re hoping to be able to wrap those, too, and it’s all free to the community.”

The Girl Scouts are eager to spread the holiday cheer with the free market. The service project also supports the girls in receiving the Silver Award.

“I’m very excited for it because it was one of my favorite memories from elementary school,” said troop member Bianca Gemignani. “I’m excited that kids who didn’t get to do this will have a chance to do it. It helps the community by helping people who can’t always afford gifts to get gifts for their family.”

Veronica Gemignani, another troop member, is also ready to receive shoppers and help bring smiles.

“I’m excited to see all the happy faces when the kids come in because I know it’s really exciting to pick out stuff for a family member,” said Gemignani. “Personally, I love shopping or picking out gifts for somebody. So, I think this is going to be like a very happy moment and exciting.”

Trumansburg Area Christmas Bureau in 75th year

The Trumansburg Area Christmas Bureau, a local volunteer organization coordinated by eight dedicated women, is now in its 75th year in Trumansburg. 

The hardworking group, dubbed the “TACB Elves,” is up to its “jingle bells” in work as it pulls off another magical season for fellow community members who reside  in the Trumansburg School District and those who are home-schooled.

The group matches community sponsors with local families who could benefit from some merrymaking and who applied earlier this month. Honoring confidentiality for sponsors and families alike, the sponsors shop for a child using a personalized wish list based on the child’s interests, hobbies, clothing sizes and “favorites.” Sponsors are requested to purchase one new outfit, hat and gloves and one to three toys or games for each child. Sponsors can also make monetary donations, which will be used to shop for a child without a sponsor shopper.

With a “neighbors helping neighbors” ethos, TACB also provides families with food for the holiday season through financial donations from community members. The food helps families with meals during winter break, when children are home from school.

The group also prepares holiday fruit and goodie bags for seniors to warm the spirit of those without family nearby or who cannot get out as much as they’d like. The packages of fresh fruit and holiday treats are prepared by volunteers, who hand-deliver them to local seniors.

Last year, TACB’s efforts helped 134 children receive clothes and presents. Fifty-five families received a week’s worth of food, and 85 seniors received fruit and goodie bags.

“The fact that this is the Christmas Bureau’s 75th year in existence suggests what kind of a community Trumansburg is,” said TACB volunteer Beckie Cardina.

For more information, visit trumansburgareachristmasbureau.org.

Trumansburg Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or courtney.rehfeldt@gmail.com.



In brief:

Trumansburg Food Pantry dates

The Trumansburg Food Pantry distribution dates for the remainder of the year are as follows:

• November 20

• December 4 and 18

The food pantry, open on those dates from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., is located at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church on the corner of Main & South streets.

In a bind? Call the Food Pantry Hotline at 607-387-8260.

To make a financial donation, make checks payable to “Trumansburg Food Pantry” and send them to:

Trumansburg Food Pantry

P.O. Box 162

Trumansburg, NY 14886

Jacksonville Methodist Church annual holiday bazaar

Come attend the Jacksonville Methodist Church’s annual holiday bazaar. 

The shopping event will include The Attic Shop, Santa’s Lunch Shoppe, Craft Shoppe, local vendors and the songs of The Harmony Falls Chorus.

Support area vendors by buying local on Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1869 Route 96 in Trumansburg.