MILLERTON — It may still be four months until Christmastime, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning for those who need a little extra help around the holidays.
Certainly Millerton business-woman Stacey Moore understands that it’s never too soon to start asking for a helping hand. She’s learned that and more during the past decade plus that she’s been spearheading the Adopt-A-Family program for families in need during the holiday season. Adopt-A-Family provides new winter clothing and toys to newborns up to the age of 16 during the holidays. This past year it even stepped out of its usual Christmas time schedule and sent three “special kids� to camp for part of the summer and helped one local family who has a very young child dealing with cancer.
“So that was kind of an early Christmas present for them,� Moore said.
But her real work season, outside of her year-round real work at her print shop Moore & More, starts this fall.
“We will probably start in October gearing up for Christmas by signing up families and getting families to help out,� she said, adding that she does not work alone. In fact for years Moore has been aided by her sister Vicki Moore and her worker and friend Karen McGiness.
This time of year, however, lends itself perfectly to fundraising, which is exactly what’s going on next weekend at Undermountain Golf Course. That’s where there will be a golf tournament which will give businesses and individuals alike a chance to donate to the Adopt-A-Family program.
According to Moore there are still a couple of slots left to play and sponsors are still being accepted for the tees. Businesses that want to donate prizes to the merchant raffle may still do so as well.
The golf tournament benefit is set for Saturday, Aug. 25. There will be a shot gun start at 4 p.m. Undermountain is located at 274 Undermountain Road in Copake.
“This is what starts our new year off. Raising the money to pay for the clothing, which cost $15,000 last year, and we expect it will probably be the same this year given the high fuel prices,� Moore said. “So if anybody wants to contribute to Adopt-A-Family they can sponsor someone in the golf tournament, or it could go directly to our clothing needs.�
When asked what keeps her so involved in the charity year after year, Moore’s response was simple.
“Because children still need Christmas and families are still having tough times doing that,� she said.
Adopt-A-Family operates in Millerton, North East, Amenia and Pine Plains. It’s also starting to branch out to Stanfordville and Ancram.
“Our references are based on the local food pantries and the Astor Head Start program,� Moore said, adding that roughly one-third of its participants are from the Millerton area.
In the meantime, anyone who wants to donate new clothing or toys may do so from this point onward. The donations should be delivered to More & Moore on Dutchess Avenue in Millerton.
“Any toys will work, when we’re taking care of that many children. We need a lot of newborn baby stuff too,� Moore said. “And any kinds of jackets, clothing, we’ll match it up. Now is a good time to buy it because the sales do exist. But everything has to be new.�
To learn more about the Adopt-A-Family program, call Moore at 518-789-4508. To learn more about next weekend’s golf tournament, call Trish MacArthur at 518-329-4444.
To send a monetary donation make the check out to Adopt-A-Family, in care of Moore & More Printing, PO Box 880, Millerton, NY 12546.
Dick Hermans in the Oblong Bookstore on Millerton’s Main Street in 1985.Provided
Fall storage crop harvests amid soil building cover crops at Adamah Farm in Falls Village. Janna Siller 
