SARANAC LAKE – The Holiday Helpers organization collects presents for area children who may not otherwise have presents for Christmas.

The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual drop off event/toy drive in November.

Patti Ploof and Dawn Rogers, co-chairs of the Holiday Helpers, were both on hand at the station for the entire day. “We are incredibly grateful to the SLVFD for continuing this annual toy drive, involving both groups and individuals from the community,” Ploof said. “This year we are able to provide a wonderful Christmas to 85 families with approximately 180 children. We could not do this without the generosity of our community.”

This year, the Bloomingdale Fire Department held a toy drive at their station they loaded up their engine with over 90 presents and made a lights and siren arrival at our station to deliver the presents. Paul Smiths-Gabriels also made an annual cash contribution to the effort. Other organizations contributing in big ways were the local postal employees, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad, and the Shamrock.