CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) - With Christmas less than two weeks away, the Arctic League is working to make sure no child in Chemung County goes without gifts this holiday season.

"There are difficult times for many families, even in a good economy and what we want to make sure is that every child ends up with a Merry Christmas," said Mike Wayne, Arctic League Treasurer.

For more than a 100 years, that is exactly what the Arctic League has made sure of. Each year, the League makes it their goal to raise as much money as possible and so far this year, has been successful.

"As of today, we're up to $110,000, so about 90 percent of our goal. This year, our goal is $120,000, although last year, we raised 139,000. So we probably will end up somewhere, we hope, between those two numbers," said Wayne. 

The League says they plan to reach that goal by this weekend. The money raised each year is used to purchase presents that are delivered to families in need in Chemung County on Christmas morning. 

Wayne added, "Tonight is another packing night, so its our fourth packing night. We will probably pack about 100 bags. Right now, it looks like will have somewhere between 1500 and 1600 families, and probably a little over 3,000 children."

As of right now, the League has more than a enough volunteers to help pack the thousands of presents. However, they're in need of volunteers on Christmas morning to help deliver presents to homes in the city of Elmira. All you have to do is show up before 6 a.m. 

The Arctic League is still accepting donations, as well as, applications for families. If you're interested in applying, you can visit the Arctic League Headquarters, located on 249 Clinton Street in Elmira and fill out an application. Applications are also available online. 
Donations can be mailed to PO Box 113, Elmira, N.Y. 14902. 

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