Record Number of Schools Collect Toys in Friendly Competition

 

Students from a record-breaking 51 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties spent the last few weeks of 2025 collecting more than 9,000 new, unwrapped toys in a friendly Stuff the Stocking competition to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive.  Each year, the winning school takes home the coveted Stuff the Stocking trophy, along with a monetary donation to their school’s activity fund.  Second and third place winners also receive monetary donations for their schools. This year, organizers have also awarded a trophy to the school which collected the most toys for the contest in Warren County. Overall, Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School was the victor in the 2025 contest, with more than 1,800 toys collected followed by Pope John Middle School and Ogdensburg Elementary. North Warren placed fifth in the overall contest but took home the newly minted Warren County Stuff the Stocking trophy.  Great Meadows Middle School and the Washington School District placed second and third, respectively, in the Warren County contest.

 

Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive gathers new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for Sussex and Northern Warren County children and teens.  In 2025, more than 2,300 children and teens received new gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop.

 

“The holidays can be a challenging time for many families in our area, and many are experiencing unprecedented economic stress,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The overwhelming response by these students demonstrates to the families served by Season of Hope Toy Shop that the community cares about them. Having children select toys for other children is a special way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season. Whether a school gathered less than 50 toys or more than 500, we are grateful to each student and school which participated and helped to make the 2025 effort the most successful Stuff the Stocking contest to date.”

 

Additional Sussex County schools which participated in the Stuff the Stocking contest included Alpine Montessori, Byram Intermediate, Cedar Mountain, Florence Burd, Franklin Borough, Glen Meadows Middle School, Green Hills, Halsted Middle School, Hardyston Middle School, High Point Regional High School, Kiddie Academy, Kittatinny High School, Lafayette Elementary School, Lenape Valley Regional High School, Long Pond, Lounsberry Hollow, McKeown Elementary, Montague Elementary, Newton High School, Pope John High School, Rolling Hills, Sandyston-Walpack, Sparta Middle School, Stillwater Elementary School, Sussex Christian School, Sussex Middle School, Sussex Technical School, Valley Road, Walnut Ridge Primary School, and Wantage Elementary School

 

Warren County contestants also included Allamuchy Township School, Blair Academy, Central Elementary, Frelinghuysen Elementary School, Hackettstown High School, Hope Township Elementary School, Knowlton Elementary, Mountain Villa, Pohatcong, Warren County Technical School, Warren Hills Regional High School, and Warren Hills Regional Middle School.

 

Information about the Season of Hope Toy Drive and the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency are available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org or by calling 973-940-3500.

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.