Spreading the Holiday Spirit to 160+ WNY Community Members
It goes without saying that the donations, time, effort, and thought given to the individuals supported through Aspire of WNY’s 2023 Spirit of Giving Program have contributed in priceless and infinite ways to families across Erie and Chautauqua counties.
To provide scope to the Spirit of Giving, we are proud to have supported 52 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, totaling 160+ people.
On top of all the donated gifts that were received, a total of $5,440 was raised in support of the 2023 Spirit of Giving program.
We can’t begin to say enough thanks for the generosity, support, and community we felt during the 2023 Spirit of Giving. Individuals, some pictured above, and their families wanted to pass along their heartfelt thank you. Without you, these families would not have had the holiday they deserve. Thank you for making an IMPACT in the lives of the individuals we support.
The Spirit of Giving Story
For over 25+ years, Aspire of WNY has been making the holiday wishes of those we support come true through our Giving Tree Program. Through much consideration, the program was rebranded as Spirit of Giving in 2021.
Every year, during the holiday season, we call on our community to help us identify the individuals and families supported by Aspire of WNY living in the community that would otherwise not be able to provide a holiday for themselves or their families (we support everyone living in the household of the supported individual).
Over the years, Spirit of Giving has grown, and recently, we extended the eligibility for this program to individuals receiving OPWDD services in WNY and their families who applied for support but did not receive a service from Aspire of WNY. All gifts are shopped for and/or supported by generous friends inside and outside of Aspire of WNY.
365 Days of the Spirit of Giving
Although the holiday season is the focus of our Spirit of Giving program, the planning, fundraising, communication, and orchestration of the event are strategized and executed all year round. Our formal giving season begins in October. However, we ask that, if you are able, consider supporting Spirit of Giving ahead of the end of the year so we can better budget for the hundreds of people we support.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of Spirit of Giving! Click here to donate.
We couldn’t do it without you!
