Columbia Cross Roads

Columbia Cross Roads, PA · Events
Wellsboro Gazette
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Wellsboro Gazette
Wellsboro Gazette
The Star Gazette
Arctic League reveals Christmas appeal goal, bell ringer Lexie Lewis
With a bell ringer chosen and a fund drive goal set, the Arctic League on Thursday, Nov. 12 officially opened its 2026 Christmas appeal with the traditional opening of its "Big Book," which lists all of the financial contributions to the effort. New board member Kit Bauer Gooshaw made the first entry in the Big Book, and Arctic League board President Michael "Robby" Robertson announced the fundraising goal is $175,000, the same as the last two years. Funds raised will help support the Arctic League's effort to provide Christmas gifts for more than 2,800 needy children in Elmira and Chemung County. This year's bell ringer, 12-year-old Lexie Lewis, who will act as a goodwill ambassador for the organization throughout the Christmas season, was also on hand for Thursday's launch. "I feel like I like to make kids happy," Lexie said. "I'm nervous and excited." Last year, the Arctic League failed to reach its fundraising goal before Christmas for the first time in 22 years , but a late surge enabled the organization to meet and surpass its goal and close the Big Book on Dec. 31, 2025. "Once that SOS went out, we raised a lot of money in short