It's been a busy, but very rewarding and moving week for the Lansingburgh community. It's a magical time of year and there is no shortage of good will, heart warming stories. We had our own moments in Lansingburgh over this past week that brought a smile to many a young persons face and a moment of community spirit and solidarity as our nation faced evil once again. 
Earlier in the week we hosted a holiday pizza party at the Whitney Young Health Services Troy facility for approximately 70 children, their families, and one very special guest. The special guest was none other than Santa Claus himself. Santa was there to take photos and chat with the kids and to also distribute toys. Excitement and smiles filled the room as Santa announced each of their names and they came running up to sit on his lap and receive there holiday gift. This was the 5th consecutive year that Santa has made this journey to spread the Christmas cheer. The kids of Whitney Young benefited from the overwhelming generosity of the Lansingburgh community. This years holiday toy drive collected a bounty of toys that valued over $2,300! 
Additionally, nearly 200 toys were also gifted to youth at the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club, who hosted a similar pizza party on Friday to distribute the toys. Cathy Conroy of the LBGC also mentioned to me that the Club has begun to receive phone calls from people throughout the community seeking their assistance to provide a special Christmas for their children. All the hard work and generous donations from the Lansingburgh an greater Troy community has made this years toy drive the most successful to date, benefiting more local children than ever before.
Yesterday evening the Lansingburgh community came out to support a more somber cause. A candlelight vigil was held at the September 11th Memorial to mark the one week anniversary of the tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT. Over 40 members of the community came and joined Father John Kelly of Trinity Church for a moment of reflection, prayer, and remembrance. People lit candles in the blustery cold winter night and released a single white balloon for each victim of the shooting as their names were read. The vigil also provided people an opportunity to donate to the relief fund for Sandy Hook. The Lansingburgh/ Troy community always steps up to the plate and delivers when it comes to supporting its community and those in need. Time and time again you are there and your efforts are appreciated more than you realize. Look at the smiles and excitement in the kids faces in the photos above, that's what it's all about. That's what makes all our hard work worth while. Three cheers to you Lansingburgh you've made us all proud again!
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