Sabres to renew 'Sabres Holiday Angels' program for upcoming holiday season

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday announced the team will once again be partnering with Catholic Charities of Buffalo for the "Sabres Holiday Angels" program throughout the upcoming holiday season. Sabres Holiday Angels is an adopt-a-family program that allows Sabres fans to participate by supporting neighbors in need this holiday season.

"Buffalo is known as the 'City of Good Neighbors,' and we want to continue to live up to that moniker," Buffalo Sabres President Russ Brandon said. "Our goal for the Sabres Holiday Angels program is to make the holidays a little brighter for members of a community that continuously supports us by giving back to those who are going through a tough time, especially for families with young children."

There are three different ways fans can get involved with the program. The first is the adopt-a-family option. After registering to adopt, fans will receive information via email with details regarding the family they have been chosen to support. Information will include: first name, age, gender, clothing size and interests/likes for each person to assist with shopping efforts (Note: In some cases, limited information is available).

The second option is the donation of individual gifts to the program. The gifts can be an item of the donor's choosing and Catholic Charities will match the gift with a person or family in need. The third and final option is the simple donation of a gift card. Gift cards may be mailed directly to Catholic Charities Parish Outreach & Advocacy - 741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209.

"Every holiday season, Catholic Charities is privileged to support thousands of families in need," said Eileen Nowak, Catholic Charities director of parish outreach & advocacy. "But we couldn't do it without community-minded organizations like the Buffalo Sabres, and programs like your holiday angels. Thank you to all who donate! What you do is significant because, for these families, these may be the only gifts they receive this Christmas."

Gifts should be valued at no more than $30 for each individual. Catholic Charities asks that donors please not wrap the gifts and to note the individuals' names on each gift if you have received that information through the program. All gifts are due to the charity by Dec. 14, and can be dropped off at the following locations:

•Catholic Charities Administrative Office: 741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, from Monday, Nov. 28, to Wednesday Dec. 14 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

•Catholic Charities Lackawanna Pantry, 75 Caldwell Place, Lackawanna, on Friday, Dec. 2; Monday, Dec. 5; Friday, Dec. 9; and Monday, Dec. 12 (8:30 a.m. noon, 12:30-2:30 p.m.)

•Catholic Charities Town Square Food Pantry, 2710 N. Forest Road, Getzville, on Tuesday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 13 (8:30 a.m. to noon, and 12:30-2:30 p.m.)

•KeyBank Center, Sabres Alumni Plaza, Buffalo, on Thursday, Dec. 14 (9 a.m. and 4 p.m.)

Fans are asked to contact Lauren Maguire by phone at 716-218-1400, ext. 2006, or by email at [email protected] if they have any questions regarding Sabres Holiday Angels, if they have signed up for the program but can no longer provide gifts for the family they were given, or if they need to change their delivery time/location.

To register for the program and help a family in need, fans can visit sabres.com/holidayangels.

In 2015, Catholic Charities served more than 142,000 people in need in Western New York. For 93 years, Catholic Charities has been making a difference for people of every faith and ethnicity in Western New York. Catholic Charities empowers children, families and seniors to achieve meaningful, healthy and productive lives. In all situations, Catholic Charities delivers support to meet immediate needs, and then assesses clients for other needs to ensure long-term success. It is the most comprehensive human service provider serving Western New York.

Catholic Charities also is an excellent steward of the contributions it receives. For five years, Catholic Charities attained the highest-possible rating (four stars) from Charity Navigator for transparency and sound fiscal management, and the agency receives the highest ratings from the Council on Accreditation for quality service.

Check out Catholic Charities at ccwny.org, at facebook.com/ccbuffalo, twitter.com/ ccbuffalo and youtube.com/ccbuffalo.