January 2025
We’re so glad to be back providing you updates on all the wonderful things happening at St. Catherine’s Center for Children - all of which are made possible through “Friends of St. Catherine’s” - like YOU! Thank you for your support. We hope you enjoy our newsletter!
Kids’ Corner
R & E May School Winter Carnival
Our R & E May School students enjoyed a Winter Carnival! There were games, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, and lots of merriment. Thank you to Total Events for transforming our gymnasium into a winter wonderland!
Events
“Grinchmas”
Our Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Permanency Resource Center holiday party was a hit! This year’s theme was “Grinchmas.” The night was filled with games, pizza, green treats, and of course, the Grinch himself made an appearance!
Albany FireWolves ‘Happy Howlidays’ Game & Teddy Bear Toss
We had a great time for St. Catherine’s Night at the Albany FireWolves “Happy Howlidays” game.
We collected over 900 teddy bears for children in our programs and raised about $1,000 dollars through our 50/50 drawing!
Thank you to all of you who contributed and to everyone who brought out stuffed animals for the Teddy Bear Toss! A special thank you to the Albany FireWolves for donating an additional $518 to St. Catherine’s.
Last but not least, we extend a big thank you to everyone who volunteered to make our efforts such a success!
Donations
Hope for the Holidays
This holiday season, you helped us create magic and spread happiness to those who needed it most. We want to express a heartfelt thank you to all of the businesses, individuals, and organizations who donated this year through our Hope for the Holidays campaign.
Our gift donation bins were bursting with love, thanks to your donations! Through our holiday trees, Adopt-a-Family initiative, and food drives, we were able to bring joy and hope to hundreds of vulnerable children and families.
Thank you to all for making this holiday season a little brighter for those in need!
To learn how you can donate, click
Academy of the Holy Names brought one of St. Catherine’s holiday trees in and collected several donations from staff members and students!
Albany Gastroenterology
Consultants donated a variety of presents for children in our programs!
Albany Troy Lions donated several hand-made hats, gloves, and mittens for those in need this holiday season!
Bank of America donated an abundance of toys to children in need this holiday season!
Bright Horizons (Albany) donated a variety of toys to those in need throughout our programs!
Bright Horizons (Rensselaer) donated a variety of toys, blankets, art sets, and more!
Broadview FCU donated hundreds of presents to children and families we serve at our Marillac Homeless Shelter!
CM Fox Real Estate donated a variety of presents for those in need this holiday season!
Donations
Hope for the Holidays
From Left to Right:
The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce, Guilderland YMCA, and Harding & Mazzotti donated a variety of heart-warming presents!
From Left to Right:
Crisafulli Bros. Plumbing & Heating Contractors and D4 of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority donated a variety of presents!
Clockwise:
The New York State Department of Labor, Firefighters Association of the State of New York, and GE Wind donated an abundance of gifts for adults, children, and familis in need this holiday season!
Donations
Hope for the Holidays
From Left to Right:
Moore Fire Extinguishers, The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and Nicole’s Restaurant donated a variety of heart-warming presents!
From Left to Right:
Helderberg Reformed Church and Hinman Straub P.C. donated an abundance of toys, homeware for our families in need, and even bicycles for children we serve!
From Left to Right:
Howard Hanna Delmar and Jackie McCarthy donated a variety of toys for children in our programs and Linda Haverly contributed numerous handmade blankets for both children and adults, pillowcases, and capes for children to play in!
Donations
Hope for the Holidays
From Left to Right:
Smith, Dominelli, and Guetti, LLC, St. Peter’s Health Care, and St. Pius X Pre-K Program donated an assortment of holiday presents for those in need!
From Left to Right:
Office of the New York State Comptroller and Port of Albany donated an abundance of presents to those we serve, from squishmallows and toys to cozy winter hats and gloves!
Clockwise: Regeneron, Sand Lake Baptist Church, and Russell Sage College HEOP Program donated a variety of presents for those we serve throughout our programs, including toys and stockings!
Donations
Hope for the Holidays
Clockwise:
United University Professions and Verizon, donated an array of presents for the children and families we serve, and Wendy Diefendorf put together “Aunt Nan Goodnight Bags” full of comfort and personal care items for those in need!
Clockwise:
St. Thomas the Apostle Church donated a several presents, Straight Edge Punks Cooperative Entertainment gave handmade cards to our Residential Program, and SUNY Albany
Multicultural Social Work Alliance donated several gifts through their toy drive!
From Left to Right:
Suzanne Hayes, The Smile Zone, and The Towne Law Firm, P.C. donated a variety of heart-warming presents!
Volunteer Spotlight
Annual Gift Wrapping Day
What an incredible turn out this year for our Annual Volunteer Gift Wrapping Day!
Thank you so much to all who came to wrap presents for the adults, children and families we serve! Your generosity made this event a huge success!
Callanan Industries
Thanks to Callanan Industries, children and families came home to a pizza party in a beautifully decorated space this holiday season!
Not only did they decorate Marillac’s entire recreation room, they also strung up lights around the gazebo outside.
In addition, they hand-delivered pizza, drinks, and presents to families who weren’t feeling well enough to attend the party.
Thank you, Callanan Industries, from the bottom of our hearts for bringing joy to those we serve!
