SARANAC LAKE — Saturday’s Holiday Helpers annual charity benefit became an all-day event this year, starting with a toy drive at the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, followed by a battery drive concert at the Harrietstown Town Hall.

The morning started with volunteer fire department members decorating and preparing the fire department for the toy drive, which was a huge success, according to organizers. The toy drive, hosted by the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, took in enough toys for 140 families. Local band Frankie & The Moonlighters performed at the Harrietstown Town Hall for the Holiday Helpers Christmas Concert. Holiday Helpers partnered with the group to give some free entertainment in exchange for battery donations.

“We had all these toys coming in but we didn’t have batteries for them, so we were going out and buying them,” organizer Patti Ploof said. “We partnered with Frankie & The Moonlighters to create a separate event to get batteries for the toys. Making a battery donation the price of admission offset the expense of Holiday Helpers having to buy the batteries.”

Kids and parents danced while batting giant Frankie & the Moonlighters balloons into the air to the tunes of “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “Santa Baby,” “Christmas Don’t Be Late by The Chipmunks” and “White Christmas.” Santa made a special stop at the concert, despite his very busy schedule, just to hand out candy canes and listen to Christmas wishes. Frankie & The Moonlighters donated the two hour show and The Belvedere Restaurant provided hot food and snacks. The 50/50 and donations netted nearly $500. Tracy Cronin won the 50/50, and in the spirit of giving, she donated it back. The concert received enough batteries to power at least 75% of the toys.