Project Christmas & Christmas in the Valley
Project Christmas & Christmas in the Valley
ECS’s “Project Christmas” & The Station’s “Christmas in the Valley” to continue, despite COVID-19
Whether it’s opening the largest present under the tree or dressing up in your favorite red and green outfit, many of us who celebrate Christmas are fortunate enough to enjoy a fulfilled and healthy holiday. Some families, however, are faced with difficult and costly realities that dim the holiday spirit.
In an effort to make this Christmas season memorable for all, initiative groups such as the Project Christmas Committee Elves at Ellicottville Central School (ECS) and The Station Bistro’s staff in West Valley have formed donation drives that aim to give back to surrounding communities. These drives offer more than a standard reminder of the festivities the holiday brings; they are put in place to provide an ‘extra touch’ of Christmas for local families.
Donation drives have always been part of each holiday season across the country. The ECS district, for example, has created a tradition behind its community-driven “Project Christmas.” The initiative began in the early 1960s and has continued to care for families and village residents with each passing Christmas season. The project is led by employees, community members and students who volunteer to give and deliver presents along with monetary donations.
While the community behind Project Christmas had originally donated non-perishable foods along with gifts for children, this year the project has been forced to adjust its traditional ways due to COVID-19.
“This year gift cards will be given to parents/guardians, and it is hoped that the cards will be used in the spirit that they were meant for,” the Christmas Project Committee stated. The committee hopes that the next holiday season will return to wrapped presents and a filled box of food. “Everyone hopes to have the holidays like they used to be.”
Similar to ECS’s Christmas Project, The Station Bistro is prepared to bring some holiday cheer to its neighboring family homes through the restaurant’s “Christmas in the Valley” event. The Station’s staff members created the event last year to deliver goods to families in need. This Christmas season, the restaurant will be hosting a cycle of complimentary meals at its West Valley location for families, made possible by community donations. The dinners will be themed around a toy-shop, where children can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and enjoy crafting gifts with elves and their parents.
Along with its effort to provide meals to local families, The Station is also set to deliver holiday-inspired boxes filled with goods such as cookies, hats, gloves and gift cards to the doorsteps of veterans and families across West Valley.
“I think it’s good to just reach out to everybody, no matter what time of the year it is,” founder and part-owner of The Station Bistro, Emily Tingue said. “This time is extra special to us, but it’s something that we appreciate doing all year round and we hope that everybody likes giving back.”
The community members responsible for making initiatives like Project Christmas and Christmas in the Valley possible will allow neighboring families to experience the holiday in harmony, which is what the Christmas spirit is all about.
As Christmas soon approaches, those who wish to serve Project Christmas or Christmas in the Valley can consider making a monetary donation. ECS will continue to accept donations throughout November and December; make checks payable to Project Christmas and mail to ECS-Project Christmas, c/o Nurse Karin Hager, 5873 Route 219, Ellicottville, NY 14731. The Station’s event is set to begin December 12th at their location on Depot Street in West Valley, with a Santa Claus meet-and-greet from 10:00am-4:00pm, followed by the family dinner at 5:00pm. Search The Station on Facebook/Instagram (@ashfordstationbistro) for updates on how you can contribute, or call Emily directly at 716-353-0193.