NEW BERLIN – This weekend, local government and religions will be coming together on the same day to celebrate the holiday spirit in good will events for the community of New Berlin.

On Saturday, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, The First United Methodist Church, St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, all in New Berlin, along with St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church of South New Berlin, will join with local students and community members by handing out donations collected in the “Spirit of Christmas” good will drive.

“This is all on the generosity of these people in the community. We do it together as a community. We care as a community. It’s not one individual, but a spirit of good will that does this,” said Father Charles G. Taylor of St. Andrew’s and St. Matthew’s.

The food, toy and clothing drive benefited about 50 area families last year and handed out toys to an additional 100 children, explained Taylor.

The event is a conglomerated effort of local New Berlin churches and the Unadilla Valley School district, whose students help to collect the donations. The Spirit of Christmas will be giving away its collected items by appointment at a the New Berlin Fire Station this Saturday.