It is an honor to be able to partner this year with the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Albany Stratton VA was founded in 1951 and serves a 22 county catchment encompassing upstate NY, western MA, and Vermont. Serving 50,000 patients annually, the VA offers inpatient medical, surgical, and behavioral health care as well as the full range of outpatient medical services. The Stratton VA is a teaching hospital and a comprehensive cancer center.

We will be providing, prepping, and serving breakfast for the veterans, their families, and the staff (many are veterans themselves). Volunteers will be asked to bring food and decorations.

Let's have some fun with the veterans on Christmas afternoon. Volunteers will bring (already baked) cookies and supplies to decorate Christmas-themed cookies. Hot chocolate, too! Families with children 10 and over are welcome.

Founded in 1906, City Mission is dedicated to meeting the needs of those individuals and families seeking immediate basic necessities such as food and shelter as well as offering the support and guidance to change the trajectories of their residents' lives.

The staff of City Mission is always so busy preparing for the community-wide supper, leaving little opportunity to provide residents with a special breakfast on Christmas morning. Our volunteers will cook and serve breakfast for approximately 50 men, women, and children, and will decorate the Family Life Center.

When we asked City Mission what would make this Christmas special and different, they asked for a program and dinner for men at the residence—BINGO in the Mission’s Cafe! City Mission will provide sandwiches and beverages, and we will provide snacks and holiday cookies. Join in the fun of calling out the bingo numbers and giving away gift cards to the winners.

In 1982, Ronald McDonald House opened on S. Lake Drive. Since its founding, more than 17,000 families from around the world have been able to stay there free of charge while their children have received life saving treatment at nearby Albany Medical Center.

Families at Ronald House will wake up to our volunteers preparing a festive breakfast in their kitchen. Decorations, too!

Help to fill Ronald McDonald House with the smells of home and the holidays. Volunteers will bake cookies and brownies in the onsite kitchen for families.

Dinner will be provided and volunteers will warm and serve the meals for families staying overnight on Christmas. Bring your holiday cheer and decorate dinner tables as well.

The Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center at Albany Medical Center is the busiest in New York State, with more than 75,000 patient visits each year. Founded in 1986, the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital is the only dedicated children’s hospital in our region. It serves a 40,000 square mile catchment area encompassing 25 counties in upstate New York and western New England. The hospital has a dedicated pediatric emergency center, pediatric oncology specialists, and a level IV neonatal ICU.

On Christmas morning our team of volunteers will spread holiday cheer across the Albany Medical Center campus to the patients, families, and staff of our community’s only dedicated children’s hospital and level I trauma center. Our volunteers will provide coffee, hot chocolate, and breakfast treats for up to 100 people at three locations: the pediatric inpatient floor, pediatric emergency room, and general emergency room.

In 1983, Joseph’s House and Shelter was founded to address the needs of the homeless in Troy with dignity and respect. It is able to provide temporary, emergency housing as well as long-term residency for individuals and families in need.

Joseph’s House and Shelter in Troy provides emergency services and shelter to guests as well as residents, whether individuals or families. This Christmas, volunteer with us to shine a light. We will decorate the dining room for the holidays and then heat and serve Christmas lunch for 50 (and decorate cookies with families); meals provided by Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy.

Joseph’s House and Shelter in Troy provides emergency services and shelter to guests as well as residents. This Christmas, volunteer with us to shine a light. We will decorate the dining room for the holidays and then heat and serve Christmas lunch for 50; meals provided by Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy.