Optimist Club Volunteers Distribute Christmas Contributions

Over the last five years, the has helped more than 1,000 local children wake up Christmas morning with a pile of presents they might not otherwise have had. 

That's in no small part due to the efforts of the club and hundreds of local families who have stepped in to aid the less fortunate than themselves through the .

This year was no different. Volunteers worked all morning Saturday delivering packages of food and toys to this year's 107 families, including 271 children.

"This was our largest year yet," Club Secretary Tina Conley said. "The support from the community was incredible, from sponsoring a family to making donations and helping set up and deliver."

Kids also received even more toys this year, as the donated the proceeds from the community's Toys for Tots program. 

Donations were also collected from Bella-Gia, Caterpillar, the Oswego Education Association, the and many individuals.

The following is a breakdown of all of this year's food donations:

• 1605 Pounds of Turkey
• 535 Pounds of Potatoes
• 428 Pounds of Sugar
• 428 Pounds of Oranges
• 321 Pounds of Apples
• 321 Pounds of Onions
• 107 Pounds of Butter
• 107 Boxes of Stuffing
• 107 Pounds of Carrots
• 107 Loaves of Bread
• 107 Packages of Pancake Mix
• 107 Packages of Celery
• 107 Cans of Cranberries