As holiday decorations come down, the need for generosity doesn’t disappear.
That’s the message Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay shared in a recent column, urging New Yorkers to carry the spirit of giving into the new year. He said winter often brings the greatest need, even as public attention shifts away from charitable efforts.
Barclay pointed to local examples in Oswego County that show how community support can make a real difference. He highlighted the annual Stockings for Veterans drive, which collected hundreds of personal care items for local veterans during the holiday season.
The effort relied on donations from residents and help from several community partners, including the Oswego County Clerk’s Office, Mexico Central School District, the Town of Sterling, Central Square Library, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Barclay also spotlighted the Tithe My Shoes initiative, a regional effort that collects donated footwear for people in need. The program, led by Millard “Mudd” Murphy, brought together volunteers and donors from across the area.
This year, the shoe drive collected a record 45,201 pairs statewide. More than 1,300 of those pairs came from Oswego County. Barclay noted that Ralph Rotella’s Discount Shoe Repair plays a key role each year by restoring and repairing donated shoes.
Beyond local programs, Barclay raised concerns about ongoing economic hardship across the state. He cited a 2022 report showing New York’s poverty rate remains higher than the national average.
He stressed that the need for help doesn’t end when the holidays are over. Small actions, he said, can still have a meaningful impact. Donating an item, volunteering time, or checking in on a neighbor all help strengthen communities.
Barclay argued that year-round kindness builds more resilient neighborhoods and helps ensure fewer people fall through the cracks once the holiday season fades.
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