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.

Law Enforcement Collaborates to Provide Safe Experience at Toy Shop

Over the weekend, thousands of families received free toys and gifts for their children at the Season of Hope Toy Shop operated at Project Self-Sufficiency.  The effort involved hundreds of volunteers who assisted patrons, provided music and helped with traffic.  Local law enforcement officials from the state and county joined forces in a unique collaboration to ensure the safety of volunteers and patrons, noted Newton Police Chief Mike Richards, who oversaw the coordinated effort.

“Over the years, the toy shop has grown and there have been issues with traffic, access and security,” explains Richards.  “We started staging vehicles at Sussex County Community College and letting them down 10 – 12 at a time.  We have law enforcement officers on site, from 6am – 9pm on Friday, and 6am – 3pm on Saturday.  This is more than the Newton police department can provide.  Since there are residents from all over Sussex County who are coming here, I reached out to my colleagues and received an overwhelming response from other departments who were willing to help.  You will see that type of cooperation and community spirit across the county.”  Officers from the police departments in Andover, Sparta, Newton, Ogdensburg, as well as the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police were on site during the toy shop.  “How well we work together may be unique to Sussex County.  It’s nice to see the younger officers from other departments because it’s a good community event that’s so helpful to people.  There’s a lot of good spirit and positive interaction with the public which is good for officers to experience.”

The Season of Hope Toy Drive is a joint effort coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its partners First Hope Bank, Gravity DesignWorks, iHeartMedia, Inc., Intercar Mercedes Benz, Off Shore Marine, Pass it Along, The Printing Center, The New Jersey Herald, Selective Insurance Company of America, Service Electric Broadband Cable, Sparta Train Station, Stocker Bus Company, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex County Community College, Sussex Honda, and the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.  New, unwrapped toys and gift are provided to children in need from Sussex County, as well as residents of Northern Morris and Warren Counties.

“The Season of Hope Toy Shop is a large-scale event which stretches over numerous days and the number of families served here increases every year,” comments Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are exceptionally grateful to Newton Police Chief Mike Richards and all of the law enforcement personnel who gave freely of their time and expertise to coordinate the flow of traffic and to ensure the safety of our patrons and volunteers.”

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 or 844-807-3500.