Ice World to participate in Season of Hope

STOCKHOLM — Skylands Ice World is offering a free photo with Santa to anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the arena on Saturday, Dec. 6, between 1 and 3 p.m.

Toys will be donated to the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive for Sussex and northern Warren County children. The event is being organized by the Skylands Kings Hockey Club “Mite Team,” which is composed of children younger than eight.

Skylands Ice World is located at 2765 State Route 23 in Stockholm, New Jersey.

“This program introduces these kids to the game of hockey and cross-ice playing," event coordinator Jessica Dabrowsky said. "It’s a good way for them to learn that they can give back to the community at the same time.”

The Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive involves a consortium of local social service agencies and businesses who have banded together to collect toys and other items for low-income families in the area. Led by Project Self-Sufficiency, the group includes the Chatterbox Drive-In, iHeartMedia, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Pass it Along, Selective Insurance Company of America, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex Honda, The New Jersey Herald, and The Printing Center. The group hopes to collect more than 20,000 items for distribution to low-income Sussex and northern Warren County families in mid-December.

“We are extremely grateful to the owners of Skylands Ice World for supporting local children and giving them the gift of hope for a memorable holiday season,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency.

Those who wish to contribute to the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive, but who are unable to attend the photo with Santa event on Dec. 6, are encouraged to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Project Self-Sufficiency, located at 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. or Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Additional drop-off sites will be added in the coming weeks. Donations are requested by Dec. 16th in order to allow ample time for the items to be distributed to needy families.

For more information, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.