CHEMUNG COUNTY, NY (WENY) -- There are 43 days until Christmas, which means it's that time of year again when members of the Arctic League officially open the 'Big Book.' The 'Big Book' is a list of all the people who have donated to the Arctic League since it started over 100 years ago.
"The opening of the 'Big Book' ... is exciting for the Arctic League [because it's] the start of our fundraising," said the 2024 Vice President of the Arctic League, Karen Miller Ring.
The Arctic League in Elmira is a nonprofit organization that ensures no kids in Chemung County go without gifts on Christmas.
This year, the Arctic League's fundraising goal is $175,000. The non-profit's fundraiser starts by officially opening the 'Big Book', with the help of the year's new Bell Ringer.
"The last Bell Ringer last year, Annie McKenzie, said I should do it and she liked it a lot. So, I wanted to try it," said the 2024 Arctic Bell Ringer, Clara Jones.
The Jones family is no stranger to helping volunteer with the Arctic League. Jones' great-grandmother was the 1995 President of the Board, and her mother is a current board member.
Jones is 10 years old and said she wanted to be the bell ringer because she likes to help the community.
"I was really happy and Tom Bruner came over to my house and talked to me a little bit about it and got me ready. I was so happy when I found out," said Jones.
The 2024 Arctic League Vice President said after volunteers help pack the bags for the kids, more people will come to the Arctic League on Christmas Eve morning to help deliver presents to families in need.
"The Arctic League really is a community organization. We're a non-profit, so without the community, we wouldn't be here," said 2024 Arctic League V.P., Karen Miller Ring.
The deadline for families in need in Chemung County to apply for gifts is December 22nd. Forms can be found at the Arctic League Headquarters on W. Clinton St. in Elmira or online.
If you'd like to make an online donation, click here, or you can mail them to:
The Arctic League, Inc.
P.O. Box 113
Elmira, NY 14902
You can also donate at one of the several locations listed below.
Big Flats:
Miniers
84 Canal Street
Elmira's Northside:
Community Bank, N.A.
300 W. Water St.
Haskins Gardens
955 College Ave.
Elmira's Southside:
Chemung Canal Trust Co.
951 Pennsylvania Ave.
Maple Ave. Christmas Tree Farm
1520 Maple Ave.
Solutions Credit Union
907 Broadway St.
West Elmira:
West End Beverage & Grocery
1806 W. Water St.
Elmira Heights:
Chemung Canal Trust Co.
McCann's Blvd & College Ave.
Banfield Baker Corp.
2512 Corning Rd. (Miracle Mile)
Annie's Hallmark Card & Gift Shop
2058 College Ave.
Horseheads:
Chemung Canal Trust Co.
602 S. Main St.
Horseheads Printing
2077 Grand Central Ave.
Pudgies Pizza
134 W. Franklin St.
Pine City:
Hamilton Meats
1451 Pennsylvania Ave.
The Arctic League will host its live annual broadcast on Sunday, December 1st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will air on WENY ABC and the CW. The broadcast takes place at Mandeville Hall at the Clemens Center in Elmira and people can drop off donations.