The eighth annual Christmas at Home food and toy drive is now winding down to it’s final days but for those who get a late start, it’s still not too late to make a donation to help those less fortunate this year.

The last day for toy and food collections is this Thursday, December 15. After that date, several volunteers will begin wrapping, sorting and boxing the items collected, and separating the items collected for them to be delivered to those on the “Wish List.”

Deliveries will begin being made next week, prior to Christmas day.

For those who have thought about making a donation of a new toy or food for the 2011 program, you can still take your items before close of business day this Thursday to several locations in Albany where Christmas at Home collection boxes are placed. Those areas include Albany City Hall, Clinton County News, Clinton County Judge/Executive’s Office, WANY radio station, Dollar General Store, Fred’s, Save-A-Lot, McWhorter’s Variety Store or Dollar Giant.

Also, any church or business which has taken up collections need to turn those items into WANY no later than Thursday.

Although no preliminary collection totals are known at this early date, it appears that the program has once again been a huge success, with even more businesses and churches taking part than in the past.

Final totals of how many families, individuals and children the program aided this year will be published in a later issue of the Clinton County News.

Meanwhile, the annual Treasure Hunt is currently in full swing throughout Albany. The “Winter Wonderland” theme hunt kicked off this past Saturday, December 10 and will continue until the grand prize–totaling several hundred dollars in cash and prizes, including $1,000 in cash–is discovered by some lucky person or team.

A new clue is listed daily at a local business location and the location site where the clue can be found, Monday through Saturday, can be heard at 10:30 a.m. and repeated at 4:30 p.m. on WANY 106.3 FM.

Other than the grand prizes, several smaller reindeer prizes will be distributed all over town and persons finding a “reindeer” should take it to the radio station to draw out a particular prize.

Treasure Hunter’s are reminded to use common sense and respect property, as treasure will not be hidden in locations such as residential property, cemeteries, school grounds, etc. nor will it be hidden in a location or manner that would cause injury to anyone trying to find it.

Also, the same person or persons cannot claim the grand prize in the contest for two consecutive years and everyone–including participating business owners/employees can search for prizes. The only exclusion are employees and immediate family members of WANY radio.

The following is some information and specific rules for the WANY 2011 “Winter Wonderland” Treasure Hunt:

1. Clues will be posted at various businesses each day where they will remain until the treasure is found.

2. Location of clues will be given on WANY, Monday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and repeated at 4:30 p.m.

3. All clues are numbered so participants can catch up on any they have missed. Locations for the clues given Monday-Friday will be repeated on Saturday.

4. Clues will not be given over the phone. You will need to go to the business and write it down.

5. Clues to find the Grand Prize will not be in any given order and you will have to choose which words are clues, and decide their meaning.

6. The Grand Prize cannot be claimed by the same winners two (2) years in a row.

7. Everyone is eligible to participate except for “WANY” employees and immediate family members.

8. Reindeer prizes are in sealed envelopes and drawn by the person claiming a prize. (One per immediate family, please.)

9. Reindeers may appear anywhere at anytime during the Treasure Hunt, especially at participating businesses.

10. Remember, the Treasure will not be hidden in a manner that would be harmful to Treasure Hunters or cause damage to property.

11. Hunting on the following is prohibited: schools, churches, cemeteries, and residential property.

12. Keep in mind that the Treasure Hunt is a game, so please be courteous and a good sport and join in the fun.