’Tis the season for holiday giving in T-burg

As we continue through the holiday season, it is easy to be wrapped up in our own shopping and busy schedules. It is important to remember the people of the village of Trumansburg and town of Ulysses in need. Whether you are able to give the gift of time, money or donating from your own home, there are plenty of ways to embrace the spirit of giving.

Ulysses Christmas Bureau

The Ulysses Christmas Bureau (UCB) is an all-volunteer, tax-exempt, charitable organization that supports children in the Trumansburg Central School District during the holiday season.

UCB works cooperatively with the TCSD school nurses to identify families in need of new clothes, gifts and food for the holiday break. In addition, the Trumansburg elementary and middle schools help to organize a food drive to contribute to the UCB.

UCB also coordinates the Holiday Fruit Basket Program, where volunteers prepare and deliver fruit baskets, homemade cookies and holiday cheer to Ulysses residents who are unable to leave their houses often.

You can help the UCB by volunteering, referring a fruit basket recipient, providing a monetary donation or sponsoring a child or family for next year’s holiday. More information can be found on the UCB website, ulysseschristmasbureau.org.

Trumansburg Rotary Club

The Trumansburg Rotary Club invites you to donate to its “Share the Warmth” drive through Dec. 13 by contributing new and gently used cold weather wear and blankets in the collection boxes at the Trumansburg ShurSave and St. James Catholic Church. Cold weather wear includes coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, snow pants, snow boots and any other useful winter wear.

Trumansburg Lions Club

The Trumansburg Lions Club works closely with the Ulysses Christmas Bureau to coordinate collecting, sorting and distributing gifts and food donations. This week they will be picking up several truckloads of food donations from the Trumansburg ShurSave and sorting them along with donations from the school at the Trumansburg Golf Course Clubhouse.

All will be distributed on Dec. 14. The club welcomes volunteers.
Visit the Lion’s Club website at 20e2lions.com/Trumansburg for contact information.

Salvation Army bell ringing

For many years, the Trumansburg ShurSave has been host to the local Salvation Army bell ringing. Ringing, which began the day after Thanksgiving, runs through much of December up to the Christmas holiday.

This location always collects a good amount of donations for the Salvation Army, but they are always in need of volunteers. Interested volunteers should contact Judy Robertson via phone at (607) 387-6488.

In addition to the Salvation Army fundraising, the ShurSave is home to many other group fundraisings during the holiday season. Find them all in the breezy entrance, and consider buying them a cup of something hot.

Other ways to make a difference

Of course, there are many other community organizations in Trumansburg that will gladly accept donations of time or money including the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, Ulysses Historical Society, Ulysses Philomathic Library and Trumansburg Community Recreation, just to name a few.

If you are cleaning out your closets this winter, consider donating to the Trumansburg Gemm Shop, which sells quality used clothing and other goods at an affordable price. The Trumansburg Food Pantry is always accepting donations at the Trumansburg ShurSave.

In particular at this time of year, the pantry is in need of protein-rich soup. When making donations from your own cupboard, they ask that you please check expiration dates.

WinterFest thank-you

Thank you to all who came out to Trumansburg WinterFest on Dec. 7 to celebrate community, businesses and the spirit of the holiday season. It was another successful festival, and we look forward to celebrating the 25th annual festival on Dec. 5, 2020.

Special thanks to: Hilby; Hula Hut Polynesian Dance; Fall Creek Brass Band; Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves; Buddy the Elf; Trumansburg Fire Department; Village of Trumansburg and Trumansburg Police; town of Ulysses; GrassRoots Festival, Jordan Puryear, Joe Farrell, and Alan Vogel for stage and sound; Trumansburg Rotary, Full Plate Farm Collective and Sweet Land Farm for the free soup; Clubhouse Grill; Trimmers; and all the vendors.
Thank you to sponsors: Ontario and Trumansburg Telephone; Ehrhart Energy; Little Venice; Falls Restaurant & Catering; Sidle Insurance; and Sheldrake Winery.

Finally, congratulations to Little Venice for its Merry Merchant holiday decorating contest win!