CHEMUNG COUNTY, NY (WENY) -- The Arctic League, a non-profit organization that ensures no kids go without gifts on Christmas in Chemung County, had its annual broadcast on Sunday, December 1st. The broadcast raised almost $27,000, which, to some people, may seem significantly less than in previous years.

"Our overall goal is $175,000 [and] we never raise that much during the broadcast... [During] this broadcast, we raised about $27,000. We had one major donor last year that we knew was not going to be here this year, so we were anticipating we wouldn't reach that number ($70,000) again," said 2024 Arctic League President, Bob Kramarik.

Kramarik said no matter how far they have to go to reach their goal, the community always finds a way to make it happen.

"We've been around since 1912. It's an amazing run for this organization [and] the broadcast has been going for 94 years. Everyone always steps up one way or another... The people who contribute after we close the books [do so] throughout the year when we send our annual report, when we do the broadcast, when people walk into the building to do packing and so on. They're making donations so we know our community in Chemung County is going to step up to make sure we reach our goal," said Kramarik.

As of December 2nd, the Arctic League is about $60,000 shy of its goal. While the broadcast may be over, the window to donate is still open. If you can't make a monetary donation, Kramarik is asking people to consider helping to drop off gifts to families in need on Christmas Eve, starting at 9 a.m. at the Arctic League on W. Clinton St. in Elmira.

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.