Part of DiRAD’s mission, beyond creating amazing customer experiences (CX) for all of our clients, is to leave a positive impact on the community we live in. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to give back throughout the year. Most recently, we sponsored the Mechanicville/Stillwater Breast Cancer Walk. An organization close to our community’s heart. As we approach the holiday season, we want to make sure we’re helping where we can. And while we aren’t capable of giving to every worthy organization, we wanted to highlight a few who are doing amazing things in our own New York Capital Region.
Capital District YMCA
The YMCA’s Basket Brigade is on a mission to create special Thanksgiving meals for those in need. “The Basket Brigade was created to marshal the community’s combined resources in the true spirit of Thanksgiving to ensure that every family can nourish both their bodies and souls.” – Dave Brown, Capital District YMCA President and CEO
All branches are accepting non-perishable food donations during open hours until Nov. 11. Monetary donations to cover the cost of turkeys and other fresh items can be made online at the Capital District YMCA website.
Requested items include canned fruits and vegetables, stuffing mix, mashed potato mix, canned yams, canned or jarred gravy, and brownie mix.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Shenendehowa Helping Hands Food Pantry serves residents of the Shenendehowa and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School Districts.
They are currently in need of boxed potatoes, stuffing mix, canned yams, canned/jar gravy, cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin/pie fillings, baking mixes (brownies, cookie, cake), meals in a can (ravioli, beef stew, etc.), spaghetti sauce, and paper towels.
You can donate food, toiletries, and cleaning products directly to the Church Fellowship Hall. Monetary donations may be made directly to our pantry; checks should be made out to the Shenendehowa Helping Hands Food Pantry and mailed to Jonesville United Methodist Church, 963 Main Street, Clifton Park, NY 12065 Attn: Food Pantry.
For more information, please visit here.
Toys For Tots
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in our operating area. In 2022, the Capital Region Toys for Tots program was able to support over 346,000 children, distributing over 420,000 toys across multiple counties.
You can find places to donate toys and information on how to become a Toy Drop Site here. If you’d like to request a toy or donate monetarily, you can find more information here.
The Capital Region Toys serves the counties of Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington.
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America’s mission is to remember and honor our fallen heroes this holiday season with a wreath placed at every grave site. Their goal this year is 16,100 wreaths at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Wreath order deadline is Tuesday, November 28, 2023. If you’d like to sponsor a wreath or volunteer, visit here.
We encourage anyone who can to consider donating to any one of these amazing organizations. We’ll be doing our part and we hope you do too.
If there are any local organizations we didn’t mention that you think we should know about, please reach out to us on our social media! We’re always looking for ways to get involved.
Happy Holidays!