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.

Holiday Toy Drive Kicks Off Today

 

The annual Season of Hope Toy Drive was launched by Project Self-Sufficiency and a consortium of businesses, schools, and social service agencies today.  The massive undertaking aims to provide gift cards and new, unwrapped toys to parents and caregivers of more than 2,000 children and teens in the New Jersey counties of Sussex and Northern Warren.  The toy drive is a joint effort which is driven and coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its community partners, to benefit local families in need.  Donations are needed immediately and can be made in-person at the Newton agency.  Additional toy drop off sites throughout the area will be added shortly.  Monetary donations are also accepted online.

 

“We are searching for individuals, youth groups, social service agencies, scouting troops, moms’ groups, churches, and other organizations which will step in and coordinate gift card and toy drives on behalf of the low-income families in our area,” noted 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 this extraordinarily challenging time.”

 

The annual Season of Hope Toy Drive has served thousands of children and teens in northwestern New Jersey for many years.  The initiative solicits donations from individuals, businesses, civic organizations, schools, youth groups, athletic teams and other groups throughout November and early December.

 

“Each year during the holidays, the Season of Hope campaign helps bring joy and happiness to thousands of disadvantaged children.  I am always pleased to take part in such an enriching and joyful event,” said New Jersey State Senator Steve Oroho. “As we are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, so too have many children’s lives not returned to what they were in 2019.  Because of this, I hope those who are able can contribute this year to bring much good cheer and smiles to many needy children and their families."

 

"Christmas is always an exciting time at Project Self-Sufficiency, where the spirit of Santa Claus sweeps across the county creating a sense of wonder and hope for children of all ages,” Sussex County Commissioner Sylvia Petillo added.  “Thanks to the overwhelming donations from our community, Christmas morn for countless families will be bursting with giggles, smiles, thankfulness, and love."

 

Area elementary schools, middle schools and high schools have been invited to participate in a competitive “Stuff the Stocking” campaign.  Toys are picked up and counted in early December; 29 schools have registered to date, a slight decline from previous years which organizers attribute to the impact of the on-going public health crisis.

 

“The Season of Hope Toy Drive brings excitement to our schools by seeing which school can collect the most toys,” explains Mike Ryder, Hardyston School District Chief School Administrator.  “But the real excitement comes from a child's joy at receiving that special toy, it comes from a child's belief in holiday magic, and it comes from a child knowing that they live in a community that cares for one another.”

 

The Season of Hope Toy Shop benefits from the talents of hundreds of musicians each year; music for the kick-off press conference was provided by Harmony in Motion.  Normally, individuals and ensembles perform holiday tunes in multiple locations on the PSS campus throughout the duration of the two-day toy shop in December.  Due to current public health restrictions, patrons will not be allowed inside the buildings this year, so shoppers will be entertained by a hybrid of livestreamed and previously recorded performances by ensembles and individual musicians. 

 

“The pandemic has upended business as usual for our day-to-day operations and the Season of Hope Toy Drive has also had to be significantly modified to comply with social distancing guidelines and other factors,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “Traditionally, the toy shop is operated during a 2-day period in mid-December and welcomes the assistance of hundreds of volunteers, law enforcement personnel, and musicians as we help thousands of parents select toys for their children.  Under the current circumstances, the toy shop will now have to operate during November and December and public health guidelines prohibit the presence of numerous staff and volunteers on site.  Therefore, we are asking that donations of funds, gift cards, and toys be received by early December.”

 

Donated items can be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  For information about the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Local Businesses and First Responders Join Forces to Stuff a Boat Full of Toys

 

The annual “Stuff the Boat” toy drive coordinated by Branchville business Off Shore Marine to benefit the Season of Hope Toy Drive has been launched.  Area residents are encouraged to bring gift cards, funds, and new, unwrapped toys to fill a 22’ long 2020 Nautique GS22 sport boat at the business, which is located at 352 Route 206 in Branchville.  Off Shore Marine will also accept Kohl’s Cash certificates which will be redeemed for items appropriate for teens.  Members of the fire departments in Branchville, Frankford, and Sussex, along with the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, the Sussex Fire Department Emergency Medical Service, and the Sussex Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Wanderers Car Club, and the Sussex Kiwanis Club are also gathering items on behalf of Off Shore Marine.  The Stuff the Boat initiative at Off Shore Marine will continue to accept toy donations through Sunday, December 20^th. 

“We have been very blessed in our lives and we have the opportunity to share these blessings,” remarked Off Shore Marine owner Sherri Cecchini.  “We believe in the opportunities Project Self-Sufficiency offers to the people it serves which allow them to create a better life for themselves and their families.  The toy drive is just one part of that vision and that is where we try to help.”

“This unique collaboration between a local business 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 benefits thousands of children in Sussex and Northern Morris and Warren counties.  The effort is driven and coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its partners First Hope Bank, Gravity DesignWorks, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Max 106.3FM, The New Jersey Herald, Off Shore Marine, Pass it Along, The Printing Center, Selective Insurance Company of America, Shop Rite, Stocker Bus Company, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex County Community College, Sussex Honda, Sussex Technical School, United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots, WNNJ 103.7FM, and WSUS 102.3FM to benefit local families in need. 

Contributions of new, unwrapped toys for the Stuff the Boat campaign will be welcomed at Off Shore Marine, 352 Route 206 in Branchville through Sunday, December 20^th.   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. – 7:00 p.m. or Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  To make a donation online, or for more information, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.