NJCDC’s 18th Annual Toy and Food Drive

Since NJCDC’s founding in 1994, there has been one everlasting tradition that resounds fondly throughout the Paterson community: The Annual Holiday Party! Every year, NJCDC’s AmeriCorps members work hard during the holiday season collecting food, toy and monetary donations to distribute to hundreds of disadvantaged children and families in Paterson.

In addition to their normally scheduled duties at their school sites, the AmeriCorps members coordinate with local businesses, religious institutions and other community organizations to solicit toy and food donations to offer to families. The AmeriCorps members have been working diligently to make sure that each child receives at least 3 toys during the holiday season.

On Saturday, December 24th, NJCDC will host the 18th Annual Christmas Eve Holiday Party for hundreds of children at St. Gerard’s Parish. The children and their families will receive their gifts, partake in holiday festivities and enjoy a wide variety of games and activities designed to inspire holiday cheer.

The Holiday Food and Toy Drive is a much needed service for the children and families that we serve every day. Last year we collected over 6,000 toys for children, and we anticipate that the need will be even more severe considering the financial setbacks many of our families encountered after the devastating floods of Hurricane Irene.

If you are interested in helping with the food and toy drive, there are different and simple ways to get involved. Participation is easy because NJCDC will do all of the heavy lifting. There are only three things that are required of you as participant:

• • Inform your employees/employer about the NJCDC’s Holiday Drive through postings, announcements, e-mails, and/or by distributing the flyers we will provide

• • Designate a space for donation boxes (NJCDC will provide as many boxes as allowed in your lobby, reception area, lunch room or other space where employees can deposit contributions)

• • Contact NJCDC when the donation boxes are full—we will pick up and empty the boxes as necessary!

There are also a couple of alternatives you may consider: 1) conduct the drive yourself and call us when it is time for pick-up 2) donate gifts on your own or 3) make a monetary donation, which will help pay for the cost of the Holiday Party on December 24th. If you are interested in participating, please contact Carrie Morrow by email, CMorrow@njcdc.org or by phone, (973)413-1626.