Its Time To Get That Christmas Feeling

STAMFORD  – Christmas starts in July in Stamford as George Bergleitner, founder of the Christmas Feeling Fund, and his bevy of volunteers begin their annual appeal. The annual fund provides food and warm clothing for those less fortunate. For some children, the gifts and candy may be the only Christmas they will know.

The Christmas Feeling team sends out letters to get the donation ball rolling and those letters are in the mail today.  The goal is $35,000 once again and, as you can imagine, increased prices mean more people will likely need help.

Bergleitner can't say enough about the generosity of the community. The fund involves many people, organizations and businesses who help year after year, for more than 50 years, to provide a better holiday for their neighbors.

Bergleitner began Christmas Feeling Fund by serving a handful of families in need in the Stamford community. His dedication to serving families during the holiday season quickly grew to what is now a nonprofit that serves families, the elderly and those in need in the Stamford, Jefferson, Grand Gorge and South Kortright school districts. Last year the Christmas Feeling Fund served more than 160 families with each family receiving winter coats, hats and mittens, food for Christmas dinner and food supplies for the winter holiday including fresh vegetables and fruit, ham or a turkey, toys and other holiday miracles supplied by our local schools, clubs and volunteers. 

The donations, the spirit of giving, to the Christmas Feeling Fund that are mailed in each year are what make this miracle happen for the children, families and elderly in our community. Bergleitner will tell you that no amount is too small. He said they are also appreciative of any clothing, toys, non-perishable food or other suitable items. Mallinckrodt in Hobart donated $3,000 last year to purchase warm coats.

Year after year Bergleitner is impressed by the generosity of the greater community. Most of the donations come from individuals. They, along with all the others, including a wide-ranging list of volunteers and organizations, make it happen. It truly is a community-based project that continues to help families at a time when they most need it, bringing some relief and cheer. 

Volunteers are always needed. Last year a new tradition was launched as the Stamford Fire Department came together to build 170 baskets of fresh produce and 170 baskets of dry goods for our families and stayed to organize the hundreds of coats by size and age. Despite the hard work, they agreed it is for a good cause and have now pledged to help every year.

Bergleitner always reminds  everyone that their donation is tax deductible and that there are no administrative costs deducted from your contribution.

Checks may be made out to Christmas Feeling Fund, 108 Main Street, Stamford, NY 12167. If you have any questions, you may contact Bergleitner at 607-652-3311. 

Families are invited to participate in the Christmas Feeling Fund with a private invitation for their school nurse, pastor/priest, social worker or verified operator of a food pantry or are on the dedicated list due to a long-term disabling condition. The family invitations request they come on the second Saturday in December from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to the Presbyterian Church in Stamford to receive their CFF holiday packages. Students, families, scouts, Rotarians, and many volunteers would be on hand, including Santa, to greet the families and fill them with holiday cheer and their needs to help them through the holiday school break.