Record Number of Families Receive Free Thanksgiving Feast

 

More than 500 Sussex County families will be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings this year, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, churches and individuals who donated voluminous amounts of food for Project Self-Sufficiency participants.  Agency staff and volunteers recently bagged hundreds of frozen turkeys, along with fresh produce, cans of cranberry sauce, vegetables, stuffing mix, dinner rolls, and freshly baked pies and distributed them to local families. 

 

“For many of our participants, food insecurity has become a pervasive and deeply troubling issue. The overwhelming generosity of our friends and neighbors is appreciated now more than ever,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We have a lot to be thankful for this year.”

 

Thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables were provided by longtime Project Self-Sufficiency volunteer Michael McNamara and his family in recognition of McNamara’s recent birthday. “My whole family is involved in supporting Project Self-Sufficiency all year long,” noted McNamara. “I have been fortunate in my life, and I am honored to be able to use this opportunity to help those in need.”

 

The First Presbyterian Church of Newton Youth Group, along with help from the congregation and members of Girl Scout Troop #98136, donated 216 freshly baked pies.  “The Youth Group and the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton look forward to baking pies for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Thanksgiving baskets each year. The mission of our church is to be a beacon of light and hope to our community, and pie-baking is just one of the ways that we let our light shine,” said Colleen Duffy, Associate for Family Nurture at the First Presbyterian Church.

 

Ames Rubber Chief Executive Officer Chuck Roberts spearheaded a fundraising drive among members of the Lake Mohawk Golf Club and others to purchase 300 turkeys for donation to the agency.  “We are trying to do the right thing and keep a tradition going,” noted Roberts who has been involved in the annual effort alongside Project Self-Sufficiency Leadership Council member Roy Knutsen for approximately 10 years.  “I have been blessed to live and work in Sussex County all my life, and there are so many people in need.  Giving back to the community is the right thing to do.”

 

Generous donations of turkeys, food, baked goods, gift cards, and funds were also received from a host of other individuals, businesses, and families. Krave Caterers donated five Thanksgiving dinners to Project Self-Sufficiency families. A joint Thanksgiving food drive was conducted by Board member Dee Fernandez and Leadership Council member Kathy Nauta, with the help of their friends, families, and neighbors, culminating in donations of gift cards and funds to purchase bushels of canned goods and fresh produce. Hundreds of pounds of fresh apples were provided by Gulick’s Fruit Farm, and fresh produce was contributed by Valley View Farms. Significant Thanksgiving contributions were also made by Selective Insurance, Kiddie Academy of Sparta, Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio.

 

Deliveries to homebound families were provided by parishioners of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, a tradition which has been in place for approximately 40 years. 

Businesses, First Reponders Stuff a Boat with Toys for Local Kids

 

The twelfth annual “Stuff the Boat” toy collection coordinated by Branchville business Off Shore Marine to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive has been launched.  Area residents are encouraged to bring gift cards, funds, and new, unwrapped toys to fill a 24' boat at the dealership, which is located at 357 Route 206 in Branchville.  A wide range of first responders and area businesses and organizations are gathering toys to Stuff the Boat on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive, including members of the Branchville Hose Company, the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, Frankford Township Fire Department, Sandyston Township Volunteer Fire Department, Sussex Fire and Emergency Medical Service, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sussex Fire Department, along with the Wanderers Car Club, Kiwanis Club of Sussex, and Royal Buick GMC of Sussex.  

 

Toys can be contributed to the Stuff the Boat initiative in a variety of ways.  New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Branchville Fire House on Saturday, November 29^th, noon – 5:00 p.m., prior to the Branchville Christmas Parade of Lights.  A special Community Drop Off event will be hosted at Off Shore Marine, Saturday, December 6^th, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Toys will be also accepted at Off Shore Marine through Thursday, December 11^th. 

 

Those who drop off toys at the Branchville dealership on December 6^th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., will also be treated to photos with Santa. “This year marks the twelfth annual Stuff the Boat collection for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive,” remarked Off Shore Marine owner Sherri Cecchini, who was inspired to launch the effort after dropping off a bag of toys and touring the non-profit agency years ago.  “We are invested in our community; we have built our business and raised our family here.  Putting goodness into the world is the right thing to do, and if we each contribute where and what we can, together we can make a real difference.”

 

“This unique collaboration between local businesses and area first responders perfectly demonstrates the true spirit of giving during this holiday season,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Now more than ever, we are grateful for this community’s steadfast commitment to our neighbors in need.  Thousands of families will be helped by this initiative.”

 

The Season of Hope Toy Drive is coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency to benefit thousands of children in Sussex and Northern Morris and Warren counties.  Toys, gift cards, and monetary donations will also be gratefully received at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  To donate online, or for more information, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.

Learn about the Impact of Childhood Trauma

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops during November regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community.  A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Tuesday, November 11^th, 3:00 p.m., will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually in English, Tuesday, November 18^th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, November 19^th, 2:00 p.m.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed.  All workshops are free, hosted on Zoom, and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details. 

 

During the Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan.

 

The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency.  Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating how caring connections can serve as a primary buffer in the negative effects of trauma.  The training is appropriate for parents and providers raising and teaching school aged children.  All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. 

 

Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resilience.  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as falling into three distinct categories, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.  Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity.  These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts.  It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is bringing together professionals, providers, and parents who are committed to increasing awareness of the impact of childhood trauma on juvenile development, future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.  “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology. The tools identified in these workshops can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”