Albany County Majority plays Santa to families and seniors in need

ALBANY COUNTY — The Albany County Legislature’s Democratic Majority Office raised enough money this holiday season to purchase holiday gifts for 110 children, seniors and adults as part of the Albany County Adopt-A-Family Program.

Legislators, staff and county workers met Wednesday morning in Albany to pick up and deliver hundreds of wrapped presents from the Democratic Majority’s caucus room, which looked like a winter wonderland.

The Democratic leadership and several legislators raised several thousand dollars to buy the gifts through a Spaghetti Dinner and raffles  held on Dec. 9 in Watervliet. The money was used to buy toys, coats, blankets and more, which were delivered Wednesday to families across Albany County and residents of the Albany County Nursing Home.

Attending the delivery drive Wednesday morning were: Albany County Legislature Chairman Sean Ward (D-16), Majority Leader Frank Commisso (D-11), Legislators Robert Beston (D-15), Norma Chapman (D-4), Bryan Clenahan (D-30), Ralph Signoracci (D-17), Samuel Fein (D-6), Paul Miller (D-32), Lillian Smith, director of staff development and community programs for Albany County and others.

“This year’s Adopt-A-Family Program has been one of the most successful in my 31 years of participating,” said Commisso.

“There are too many families in Albany County that do not have the resources to give gifts to their kids for the holidays,” said County Legislator Sam Fein (D-6). “We are very thankful of the many people who made generous donations to ensure that more families will have a joyous holiday celebration.”

Ward, Commisso, Beston, Miller and Legislator Lynne Lekakis (D-8) attended the annual holiday party at the Albany County Nursing Home on Wednesday, where they delivered gifts and a $1,200 check for the home’s activity fund.

“Thanks to the Albany County Adopt-A-Family Program, dozens of local children will open gifts during the holidays,” said Ward. “Helping those who are without is a big part of public service.”

“During this holiday season,” said Miller, “it’s important that we remember those less fortunate than ourselves, particularly the children who may not have much of a holiday without the generosity of the citizens of Albany County.”