As the holiday season winds down and we welcome the new year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in and contributed to our holiday events and donation drives. Your generosity, spirit, and dedication to community made this season truly special.
Reflecting on the Joy and Impact
This past holiday season, we set out to make a meaningful difference in our community by organizing several events and drives. Thanks to your support, our efforts exceeded expectations. Here’s what we accomplished together:
Donation Drives
- School Supplies Drive: With your help, we provided backpacks, notebooks, and essential tools to ensure that students in our community could start the new year ready to succeed. Your contributions put smiles on countless young faces to kids in 19 local elementary schools including Utica, Rome, Herkimer, CVA, Frankfort, Amsterdam and Gloversville Elementary Schools!
- Coat Drive: Winter can be harsh, but thanks to your kindness, many individuals and families now have warm coats to protect them against the cold. Every coat you donated was a gesture of care that truly mattered to the kids in the Utica and Rome elementary schools. We broke a record and were able to donate 1,017 items of winter outerwear including new coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves, mittens and snow boots.
- Food Drive: During a time when no one should go hungry, your generosity provided meals for families in need. The outpouring of support filled not only pantries but also hearts to those who utilize the Thea Bowman House Food Pantry in Utica, NY.
- Holiday Gift Drive: From toys and books to clothing and gift cards, you helped ensure that children in our community experienced the magic of the holidays. Your donations transformed wishes into reality for the families in the Adopt-a-Family program through ICAN with over 500 gifts, 69 rolls of wrapping paper and 30 rolls of tape!
Holiday Events
- Halloween Trunk or Treat: Thank you to all the creative minds who decorated trunks, dressed up, and brought Halloween cheer to life! Seeing children and families enjoy a safe, fun celebration of community was unforgettable.
- Lights Around the Park Light Show: Held at the Kirkland Town Park and hosted by the Clinton Fire Department. This drive through light show went around the entire park, with over 30 different light displays, and was held every weekend from 11/29-12/29. On Sundays, Santa and Mrs. Claus even greeted each car with candy canes for those driving through!
- New Hartford Fire Department's Believe Christmas Festival & Parade: We participated in the 3rd Annual Believe Christmas Festival hosted by the New Hartford NY Fire Department with our festively light wrapped Toyota Tacoma leading Santa, and a fun day of shopping in the village green with vendors, food trucks, and music.
Together, We Made a Difference
Through your contributions and involvement, you didn’t just donate or attend an event—you became part of something bigger. You helped build a stronger, more connected, and compassionate community.
The ripple effect of your kindness will be felt far beyond the holiday season. Each meal shared, coat donated, and moment of joy created reminded us all of the power of coming together.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the new year, we carry with us the warmth and generosity you shared this past season. We’re excited to continue working with such an incredible community and invite you to join us in future initiatives to make a difference.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Let’s keep the spirit of giving and togetherness alive all year long.
Happy New Year!
From all of us at Steet Toyota of Yorkville
