When you were little, there was nothing quite like the holidays. It was a time of anticipation – to see what sort of gifts would wind up under the tree, or at Hanukkah gift giving, or at any of the other gift-giving celebrations that occur this time of year. But for some, the holidays is a time of strife, especially for parents who are not able to provide gifts for their kids because they are simply trying to make ends meet. That’s why the Little Match Girl Foundation is hosting a gift giving crusade and fundraiser in order to ensure that those in need are provided for, instead of simply going without.
On November 19, “Buffalo Christmas Wishes” will roll out its annual gift-giving project designed to collect, wrap and deliver donated gifts to the children that need them most. This year, students from Enterprise Charter School and Our Lady of Hope Home School at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy have filled out wish lists in hopes that some of their gifts make it in time for December 25.
“We cannot wait for the Western New York community to come together and make this year’s Buffalo Christmas Wishes a success for so many children who deserve a holiday to remember,” said Buffalo attorney Brian R. Biggie, founder of Buffalo Christmas Wishes and partner in the law firm Goldberg Segalla LLP. “We are humbled by the generosity of the Western New York community and thank everyone for participating. Being able to bring a little bit of joy to the lives of these kids is worth every second of effort.”
The way the gift giving program works is simple. In fact, there are a couple of different ways that you can make a difference.
First, donations of unwrapped gifts for students in the 2015 Buffalo Christmas Wishes program will be accepted through December 15 by the Little Match Girl Foundation. Gift givers can drop off the donation at the offices of Goldberg Segalla, located at 665 Main Street, Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Next, supporters of the effort can attend the Buffalo Christmas Wishes fundraising party at Flying Bison Brewery on Thursday, November 19. A $30 donation at the event goes to the foundation, which helps to purchase the gifts for those in need. “The donation gets you two drink tickets, food, and a tour of Flying Bison,” said Geri Rosman, a supporter of the initiative. “Attendees have an option, if they so choose, to also sponsor a student. We will have laptops available at the happy hour for anyone who would like to do so. The students will also be listed on our website for anyone who is unable to make the happy hour or who wants to sponsor a student at a later date. The money we raise at the happy hour allows us to supplement gifts for students as needed and provide other items such as fleeces to the students of St. Luke’s or adopt a family at Enterprise.”
For some of the kids, instead of gifts, a reading list is made available so that they might have access to books that will help them in their learning pursuits.
“Buffalo Christmas Wishes” makes it easy to give during the holiday – something that we tend to forget how to do when life gets in the way as we get older.
2015 holiday gift-giving drive – “Buffalo Christmas Wishes” | November 19, 2015 | Flying Bison Brewing Company | Sponsored by The Little Match Girl Foundation Ltd
Buffalo Christmas Wishes Kickoff
Thursday, November 19, 2015
6–8 p.m.
Flying Bison Brewing Company
840 Seneca Street, Buffalo
*Your $30 tax-deductible donation includes food, two drink tickets and a tour of the facility. Click here to RSVP by November 17. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Laptops will be available for participants to pick a student in the Buffalo Christmas Wishes program. All proceeds collected at this event will support the 2015 Buffalo Christmas Wishes campaign.
Donations of unwrapped gifts for students in the 2015 Buffalo Christmas Wishes program will be accepted through December 15 by the Little Match Girl Foundation at the offices of Goldberg Segalla, located at 665 Main Street, Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Please see the Buffalo Christmas Wishes page for a list of the most-needed items.