November 10, 2011
Greater Newark Holiday Fund – www.holidayfund.org
“For most people the holidays are a season of joy. But the neediest among us have so little to celebrate. You can make a difference. Your support reaches across six counties — Essex, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, and Bergen counties in northern New Jersey to help in so many ways:
- Food for the Hungry
- Shelter for the Homeless
- Care for Seniors
- Clothes and Toys for Kids
- Crucial services to individuals and families in crisis
Our 2011 campaign runs from November 13, 2011 through January 15, 2012. Please help us turn a cold winter into a season of hope, especially for the children. Imagine how happy gifts of food, clothing, or toys will make them. Please give generously.”
Please see the website for more information: www.holidayfund.org
Family Service of Morris County — Hope for the Holiday Fund — www.fsmc.org
“Family Service’s Hope for the Holidays is not just a gift drive, but a program that brings joy to needy families, seniors, and children. In today’s economy, there are many families who are having a difficult time, so donations and gifts from individuals, companies, organizations, or schools, will truly bring joy to those in need. Such is the case of the Jones family. The parents of three are both employed, but are struggling and may lose their home to foreclosure. All their disposable income is used for doctor bills and medication for their terminally ill eldest son. Without the program, they would not be receiving gifts of warm clothing this holiday. Another example is Ginny, an 86 year old woman who lives alone in senior housing. Ginny has no family or surviving friends, so the gift from Hope for the Holidays may be her only gift this year.”
Please see the website for more information: www.fsmc.org, or contact Marie Palumbo, Volunteer Coordinator, at 973 538-5260 ext. 336.
Jersey Cares has two holiday programs: www.jerseycares.org
- Coat Drive: “The objective of the 16th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive is to collect and distribute 50,000 ‘gently used’ winter coats to at-risk men, women and children. Over the past fifteen years, Jersey Cares has collected, sorted and distributed hundreds of thousands of winter coats to New Jersey residents in need. Coats may be dropped off between November 1, 2011 and December 15, 2011 at all public collection sites. Check out our public collection site listing for collection sites in your area. Donated coats are collected and bagged for pick-up and then dropped off at a Jersey Cares Container Site, located throughout the state. Finally, social service agencies schedule times to pick-up and distribute the coats to those in need.” Please see the website for more information: www.jerseycares.org/JC_Coat_Drive.
- Frosty’s Friends: “There are so many children in need of joy and cheer all over the world — and so many here in our own New Jersey neighborhoods. Jersey Cares connects our agency partners’ children in need with Frosty’s Friends volunteers. Each participating volunteer or group of volunteers will receive letters written by children (or pictures from those under the age of four) between the ages of 4–16. Volunteers then purchase a gift by December 17, 2011 and mail it directly to the child via the agency. The recommended price range of gifts is $25–$40.” Please see the website for more information: www.jerseycares.org/JC_Frostys_Friends.
Women’s Club of Morristown/Daily Record — Operation Holiday — 41st Annual Campaign
“This project was conceived by the Woman’s Club and sponsored in conjunction with The Daily Record. It will run from November 20, 2011 through January 31, 2012. It was designed to help the less fortunate share the real joy of Christmas. Local Special Agencies provide documented cases of clients, among whom are the elderly, infirm, orphans, battered women, abused children, mentally disabled, single parents and low income individuals and families. All information is kept confidential, and fictitious names are used to protect the client’s privacy. Some of the cases are published in The Daily Record on a daily basis around Thanksgiving time until Christmas Day. In response to these articles, local companies as well as citizens call us to volunteer to fill specific cases and others contribute money which our members and outside volunteers shop for toys, clothing, household items and medical supplies. Any member who would like to help shop for over 600 cases, or who would like more information, please contact Anne Moores in the office at 973-539-0467. You are given a list of items that need purchasing along with the money. All you have to do is shop and make someone’s holiday a little brighter. It is fun and rewarding for everyone.”
Please see the website for more information: www.wcomt.org