Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner Announces Yellow Ribbon Day Donation Drive
(L to R) Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner, Saratoga County Chamber Executive Vice President Denise Romeo and Clifton Park Hannaford Store Manager Kimberly Hanson kick off the 2021 Yellow Ribbon Day Donation Drive.
Saratoga County, N.Y. – Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner, announces the annual Yellow Ribbon Day donation collection drive, which is going on now through April 9, 2021.
April 9th is Yellow Ribbon Day in New York State. In recognition of this state holiday, the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office coordinates a donation collection drive leading up to the annual Yellow Ribbon Day ceremony in Halfmoon. All donations benefit our local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America. The Blue Star Mothers of America- NY 2 use the donations to send “Freedom Boxes” to our deployed troops.
Previously, donation collection boxes have been located at town, village, and county offices, local businesses, the County Clerk’s Office, and Saratoga County DMV locations. This year, with many municipal offices still closed to the public, the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office is partnering with the Saratoga County Chamber, Saratoga County Veterans Business Council, and Hannaford stores in Saratoga County to safely bring the donation collection closer to our community.
Donation collection boxes are located at participating Hannaford stores throughout Saratoga County now through April 8. Additionally, a drive-through donation collection will be held on Yellow Ribbon Day, Friday, April 9, 2021 from 9am to 11am at Veterans Memorial Park in Halfmoon. A brief outdoor ceremony commemorating Yellow Ribbon Day will be held at 11am following the drive-through collection.
Snack and personal care donations requested include individual and travel size packages of crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, and beef jerky, as well as personal care items such as insect repellent wipes, toothbrushes, deodorant, lip balm, puzzle books, and more. A full list of donation requests is on the Saratoga County Clerk webpage on the County website at www.saratogacountyny.gov and its Facebook page, @saratogacountyclerk.
Monetary donations made directly to the Blue Star Mothers of America – NY2 are also accepted to help ship and fill “Freedom Boxes.” Those interested can donate to “Blue Star Mothers of America – NY2” through the PayPal Giving Fund (www.paypal.com/fundraiser/hub). Alternatively, checks can be made payable to Blue Star Mothers of America – NY2 and sent to PO Box 243, Delmar, NY 12054. Suggested donations include $13 to ship a box; $30 to fill a box; $43 to ship and fill a box; any donation amount is welcome. More information is available on the Blue Star Mothers of America – NY2 Facebook page, @NY2BlueStarMoms.
STATS:
The Saratoga County Clerk’s Office has been coordinating the Yellow Ribbon Donation Drive since 2017 and the event has grown threefold.
In 2019:
• 29 towns, businesses, organizations, and individuals participated.
• 3 filled-to-the-brim pickup trucks delivered the donations to the Blue Star Mothers NY-2.
• 200 freedom boxes were assembled and shipped with the donations.
• $650 in monetary donations was raised for the Blue Star Mothers NY-2.
Unfortunately, the 2020 drive and event were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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