Arctic League passes goal with Elmira police support

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)—The Arctic League officially closed its 2025 Christmas Campaign “Big Book” on Wednesday, Dec. 31, after receiving a donation from the Elmira Police Department.

The Arctic League is a non-profit organization that raises money to buy gifts for children in Chemung County for Christmas. The plan is to reach the goal by Christmas, but this year it happened afterwards.

Historically, the last donation is made by the Elmira Police Department, and this year that continued.

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Police Officer Xavier McDaniels made the final entry in the “Big Book” with a donation of $2,500. This donation marked the largest amount ever given by the Elmira Police Benevolent Association (PBA).

“It’s an exciting feeling to know that the Arctic League reached its goal,” said Officer McDaniels. I know that it’s really important for our community, so I think that was huge,” he said.

Karen Ring, President of the Arctic League, says she was not expecting to reach the goal this year.

Arctic League still $43,000 away from Christmas gift goal

“To think that the community came through and helped us close before the end of the year when we didn’t think that we were going to because we were short $43,000 of our goal,” said Ring.

Jack Hastrich, the 2025 Arctic League Bell Ringer, says he always knew that the goal would be met.

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“I knew we were gonna reach it, I just didn’t know that we were gonna reach it this quick,” said Hastrich.

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With the book being closed, the Arctic League is grateful to all who contributed.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated in the past this year and in the future to help this organization go on because without the community, we couldn’t be the Arctic League,” said Karen Ring, 2025 Arctic League President.

The total amount raised during the campaign was $180,015.55, exceeding the original goal of $180,000. For more information on the Arctic League, visit the website.

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