In brief

Ecumenical Council distributes 239 Thanksgiving baskets Warwick — The Warwick Ecumenical Council was able to distribute 239 Thanksgiving baskets to families in the Town of Warwick on Nov. 22. “These baskets provided a complete Thanksgiving dinner for each family and the generosity of our community was evidenced in all the extras included in the baskets,” Amy Lawlor said in a press release announcing the council’s efforts. “We had a fantastic team of volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly and we so appreciate the community support this program receives every year.” Next up, the council will be distributing Christmas baskets at the Warwick Methodist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 22, to residents of the Town of Warwick. In addition to the baskets, the ecumenical council also provide a Christmas Gift Shoppe which is stocked with new donated toys. Families with children are allowed to shop for a limited number of Christmas gifts at a much reduced cost which allows them the dignity of purchasing gifts for their children. All money raised by the sales in the Christmas Shoppe go into the food pantry, which is open all year round to provide food for town residents in need. If anyone would like to sign up to receive a basket, come to the Warwick Methodist Church, 135 Forester Ave., on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. The last day to sign up is Dec. 8. Two proofs of identification and town residency are required to register to receive baskets. A bill showing name and physical address qualifies; post office box addresses are not acceptable. Farm workers should bring a letter from the school their children attend, an electric bill or a letter from their employer verifying their address. “At this point all of our families have been adopted for Christmas and we have a waiting list,” Lawlor said. “If you would like to show your support for this program, you can make a monetary donation, donate new toys for the Christmas Shoppe, donated non-perishable food items, or donate gift cards (e.g. Shop Rite, Price Chopper, Walmart, Target, etc.).” In addition, to volunteer the day of the baskets (Dec. 22), distribution runs from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call Michele at 986-4457 and see if she can use your help that day. Lawlor’s press release ends with these thoughts: “We would like to send out a special thanks to all who participated at Thanksgiving: to those who adopted families and provided baskets, to all who donated turkeys and food, to all who made monetary donations, to volunteers at WVT Communications Group who made reminder phone calls, and especially to all the volunteers who worked so hard to help distribute the baskets. It is truly a community wide effort and your support is very much appreciated by the Warwick Ecumenical Council and the coordinators of the program.” Greenwood Lake Lions help neighbors during this holiday season Greenwood Lake — The Greenwood Lake Lions Cub has donated $1,000 to the Greenwood Lake Food Pantry for food baskets for families in need this holiday season. The Lions Club supports many community organizations, including the food pantry, scholarship funds, Valley View, the seniors, the GWL ambulance, police and fire department, local children’s sports and the annual Christmas tree lighting. The club just celebrated 60 years of contributing to the community and, assured past president Diann Mello, “will continue to do so for many years to come.” Arts Council hosts 'Empty Bowl Fiesta’ to help farm workers on Dec. 10 Sugar Loaf —Hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee have been catastrophic to the farm workers and their families. Donations to FarmAid were not allocated to the farm workers, many of whom are presently out of work and are hungry. The food pantry at the Alamo Community Center, which serves thousands of farm workers each year, is in desperate need of assistance. You can help by attending our “Empty Bowl Fiesta” on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m., at the Seligmann Estate, 23 White Oak Drive in Sugar Loaf. Come with your family and enjoy an afternoon of music and soup. Take home a handmade bowl donated by local artists. Music will be provided by “Estamos Listos,” a local band featuring Marji Zintz and Saloman Trujillo. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Alamo. To volunteer or to donate bowls, call 845-651-1170. Suggested donation is $20 per person, Come and give what you can. This event is jointly sponsored by the Orange County Arts Council and Amity Arts Workshop.