At Franklin Community Center, we strive to ensure that all children receive the same opportunities for positive childhood experiences. We work to make certain that all families in Saratoga County in need of assistance receive the services they need. For more information on our Student Services, please email Abbie Aldrich or call 518.587.9826 x 225.
Holiday Assistance
At Franklin Community Center, we believe every child should experience the magic of the holiday season. With our Holiday Assistance Program, local families in Saratoga County can apply for assistance to receive holiday gifts for their child(ren) aged 2-14. Families provide a wish list of presents for their children and then are anonymously matched with a sponsor. For those families who miss our sign-up deadlines, we use the general donations we receive to ensure all families who need help are assisted.
We begin our planning in late August and begin accepting applications in October. Our staff works diligently to confirm all donations are received and then provided to the families in a timely manner. Our program serves hundreds of local families, and this number grows exponentially each year. In 2021, we assisted over 550 children with holiday gifts thanks to contributions from over 250 donors.
Our program is supported by the kind and generous individuals and agencies in our community, through sponsoring a child/family, hosting a toy drive, providing general donations of gifts, or making a monetary donation to further support the program.
*Please note, our holiday assistance program is meant to be supplemental and applicants are not guaranteed every item on their list.
Our Holiday Assistance Program is NOW CLOSED. We look forward to the 2023 holiday season!
Halloween Costume Drive
For many in our community, Halloween costumes often don’t make the list of essentials in the family budget. In October, Franklin Community Center holds a Halloween Costume Drive so families can experience the fun of dressing up for the holiday, whether to go trick-or-treating or enjoy a costume party at school or with family and friends. We begin collecting new and gently used costumes in September and hold a free shopping night in mid-to-late October. We accept costumes from infant sizes to adult. Donations are received through local school PTAs/HSAs, local businesses, and individuals in the community.
School Supplies
Amazon School Supplies Drive Wish List
Each child deserves a fresh start to the upcoming school year with the supplies they need to prepare for a successful school year. With our School Supply Program, local families can bring in supply lists from each child’s school to receive a backpack filled with their requested supplies.
We begin planning for our School Supply Program in July, when schools begin sharing the requested supply list for each class or grade. Our staff organizes all donations and fills each request with the available supplies we have on hand. In 2021 we provided school supplies to over 300 students.
Our program is supported by the generosity of local agencies and individuals, through donations of backpacks, various supplies, and monetary donations. See below for our donation request flyers.
Project Lift Camp Assistance
Camp can be an educating, exciting, and fun experience for children, and can provide much needed childcare for working parents over the school break or the summer. We believe every child should enjoy this opportunity. With support from local foundations and donations from individuals in the community, our Project Lift staff works with local camps to negotiate discounts for current Project Lift students and siblings to attend various day and overnight programs.
Though we work year-round to identify opportunities for our students, a large part of our planning for camps start in February, gathering camp information and determining what discounts, scholarships, and funding may be available. If you are interested in supporting our Camp Assistance Program, please contact Abbie Aldrich.
