Despite something of a slower start than hoped for, the annual Christmas at Home food and toy drive that concluded right around Christmas again ended strong and was one of the best ever, according to event organizers and sponsors.

When all was said and done, following countless hours of volunteer work and generous giving by the community, some 266 homes were served through the program and just as importantly, if not more so, 564 children had a better holiday season.

In early December, a couple of weeks after donations began being sought, there was a call to the community that more donations were needed to meet the number of households, individuals and families that could be assisted by the project. The primary need was for more food to be distributed. Just as in the past, Clinton citizens responded with food, toys and monetary donations to make the event another successful one.

According to Pam Allred, owner of WANY Radio Station, who began the program about 12 years ago with the help of several sponsors and businesses, some 16 churches again participated this year by collecting food boxes. There were also 19 businesses or organizations that participated in the collection of both food and toys.

Once again, the program could not have happened without the volunteers who separated items, boxed them and made deliveries possible between the time period of December 18 through the 24th.

Once again, the deliveries were made by city employees and a majority of the volunteers were city employees, their families, friends and help from other individuals.

Albany Mayor Nicky Smith, at the latest meeting of Albany City Council, along with Allred, thanked everyone who had a hand in making the drive another huge success.

The Christmas at Home program is sponsored annually by WANY, the City of Albany, Clinton Fiscal Court, Clinton County News and the Chamber of Commerce.