45 schools collect 7,500 toys

Students from a record 45 schools in Sussex and northern Warren counties spent the past few weeks collecting about 7,500 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 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.

Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School in Sparta was the victor in the 2023 contest, with more than 1,300 toys collected. It was followed closely by Hardyston Middle School in second place. Pope John Middle School of Sparta was third.

Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School also won the 2022 contest, with more than 1,000 toys collected. Pope John Middle School placed second last year ahead of North Warren Regional High School.

This year, more than 2,200 children and teens received gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop.

North Warren Regional School District was named the Most Consistent Stocking Stuffer while the award for Most Spirited Stocking Stuffer went to Lenape Valley Regional High School, which sent a group of students to Project Self-Sufficiency to help set up the massive toy shop where parents in need can select new, unwrapped items for their children.

The Ogdensburg School was awarded the Most Improved Stocking Stuffer, while Rookie Stocking Stuffer of the Year went to Frankford Township School.

Local schools that collected more than 100 toys included Allamuchy Township School, Brass Castle Elementary School, Florence M. Burd Elementary School, Franklin Borough School, Fredon Elementary School, Glen Meadows Middle School, Green Hills School, Hardyston Middle School, Kittatinny Regional High School, Lenape Valley Regional High School, Long Pond School, Newton High School, North Warren Regional High School, Ogdensburg School, Pope John High School, Pope John Middle School, Reverend George A. Brown Elementary School, Sandyston-Walpack Elementary School, Sparta Middle School, Stillwater Elementary School, Sussex Christian School and Sussex Tech High School.

“The holidays can be a challenging time for many families in our area and many are experiencing unprecedented economic stress,” said 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 2023 effort the most successful Stuff the Stocking contest to date.”

Additional schools participating in the Stuff the Stocking contest included Byram Lakes Elementary School, Byram Intermediate School, Clifton E. Lawrence School, Frelinghuysen Elementary School, Goddard School, Great Meadows Elementary School, Halsted Middle School, High Point Regional High School, Hope Elementary School, Kiddie Academy, Lounsberry Hollow School, Mendham Township Elementary School, Montague School, Marian E. McKeown School, Sussex Middle School, Valley Road School, Walnut Ridge School, Wantage Elementary School, and Warren County Technical School.