Toy drive providing gifts to children
NEWTON — It may have been the day before Halloween, but at Project Self-Sufficiency, Friday saw a Christmas celebration with the kickoff of the annual Season of Hope Toy Drive.
The drive is a challenge to individuals, schools and businesses serving Sussex and Northern Warren County to collect enough toys by mid-December to enable thousands of children to have a memorable and happy holiday.
Sandra Zaruba addressed the audience with a compelling story of when her family was down on their luck and the Toy Shop saved Christmas.
“It wasn't just toys, it was coats and scarves for the winter time,” she said, “I can not say what a relief it was that I could get things for Christmas thanks to this Toy Drive.”
“We are searching for individuals, youth groups, social service agencies, scouting troop, moms groups, churches and other organizations which will step in and coordinate toy drives on behalf of the low-income families in our area,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “The Season of Hope Toy Drive directly benefits Sussex and Northern Warren County families in need. The items collected here stay right here. It truly is a way for neighbors to help each other during a difficult time of the year.”
George Graham, a member of he Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, dressed as Santa and said, “Christmas isn't just Santa Claus. It's the kindness and charity in your heart.”
Without the Season of Hope Toy Drive, thousands of children in our community would not receive gifts this holiday season. Gifts are being sought for infants and toddlers (baby blankets, learning toys, books, foam blocks, dolls and the like), school-aged kids (art supplies, play dough, Legos, video games, pajamas, clothes, etc) and teens.
Ruby Esposito is a Project Self-Sufficiency volunteer and junior at Pope John High School. She noticed a lack of gifts for teens available in the Toy Shop, so this year, she took it upon herself to start Project Toys 4 Teens. The project is a toy drive specifically focusing on collecting toys for kids ages 12-18 .
“There are many underprivileged teens in our community, and we can make a difference,” she said. She's getting the word out with fliers and visits to local high schools and suggests items such as gift cards, electronics, games, ear buds, sports equipment and toiletries for donations.
A fun and inspirational component of the Toy Drive is that a festive school bus will visit schools during the week of Dec. 14-17 to pick up donations. The “elves” will tally the donations from each school district and the winning district will take possession of the Stuff the Stocking trophy and receive $250 contribution to a student activity fund. The winner of last year's trophy was Green Township resident and superintendent Ken Green accepted the award on behalf of the district.
“In this kind of competition, everyone wins,” he said.
Students see the importance of helping members of the community and those less-fortunate receive gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah.
The toy drive is a joint effort coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its partners, Charm, The Chatterbox Drive-In, iHeartMedia, Inc., Intercar Mercedes Benz, Pass it Along, Selective Insurance Company of America, Service Electric Broadband Cable, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex Honda, The New Jersey Herald, The Printing Center, and the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots to benefit local families in need. The group aims to gather thousands of new and unwrapped items to distribute to families in need during mid-December. The drive was started by Pass-It Along and was handed over to Project Self-Sufficiency four years ago, said Pass It Along's Diane Taylor.
"Project Self-Sufficiency has done a fantastic job with the drive and it's a pleasure to be one of the partners," she said.
Gift items can be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday–Thursday, from 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; additional drop-off sites will be added in the coming weeks. Donations are requested by Wednesday, Dec. 16, to allow ample time for the items to be distributed to needy families. For information about the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org. In addition, donation of gift cards, wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes and stocking stuffers are always appreciated.