ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- Chemung County's oldest charity closed its "big book" on another successful fundraising season, five days before Christmas.
The Arctic League is a volunteer-based non-profit that provides Christmas gifts for children across Chemung County. It tracks its donations in the so-called "Big Book" - a ledger that has a notation for each contribution made. The book is opened annually on the day after Veterans day in November, with hopes of reaching the fundraising goal and closing it before Christmas.
On Friday, with the flick of a pen, the Elmira Police Benevolent Association made the ceremonial final donation to the 2024 Arctic League fundraising campaign.
"It’s a very special honor for us to be able to come and close the book every year, and we look forward to it. Our members enjoy it, and we want to make sure that this is one of the biggest donations that we make every year," said Elmira PBA President, Investigator Brooks Shaw.
This year, the officers' union made its largest donation to date, with $2,500 going to the Arctic League. The final contribution of the year by the PBA has been going on for decades, to help made Christmas possible for thousands of children across Chemung County. With their contribution, the Arctic League raised $187,267.64.
"Every kid should have a present on Christmas, and we all believe that. A lot of our members will come on Christmas eve and help deliver the gifts as well," Investigator Shaw said.
The Arctic League got off to a big of a slow start this fundraising season, bringing in just about $27,000 during its annual televised broadcast on December 1st. However, the organization was able to smash its fundraising goal of $175,000.
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"Everyone responded to the ask because we were $60,000 short after the broadcast, and it didn’t take any time at all to be able to close the book this early before Christmas, the 22nd year in a row before Christmas," explained Arctic League President, Bob Kramarik.
There are still a few nights left for volunteers to pack gifts that will be delivered across Chemung County on Christmas Eve. For Kramarik, seeing the volunteer and community support of the Arctic League and the legacy it has built is what the holidays are all about.
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"It's so indescribable to say how it feels. If you ask somebody who's received from the Arctic League, and has the opportunity to come back and participate in Arctic League, and come full circle, those are the ones who really feel it the strongest. I was lucky that I never had to rely on the Arctic League, but I am also lucky that I'm able to pass it along to my children, and to their children and other people in the community to be a part of such a great organization," Kramarik said.
For families in need in Chemung County, there is still time to apply to receive gifts for your children from the Arctic League. Applications will be accepted until 10 P.M. on Monday, December 23rd. Applications can be submitted online through the Arctic League website, or dropped off in person at its headquarters at 249 West Clinton Street in Elmira.