Volunteers unload toys filling a Nautique boat Dec. 12, 2023, at Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton. (File photo courtesy of Project Self-Sufficiency)
Sussex County Community College plans to raise money for student scholarships by offering six winter and holiday backdrops, where residents may take family holiday photos. (Photo provided)
• 11th annual “Stuff the Boat” toy drive: Coordinated by Branchville business Off Shore Marine to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive.
Residents are asked to bring gift cards, funds and new unwrapped toys to fill a 23-foot Barletta Lusso boat at the dealership, 357 Route 206.
A wide range of first-responders, businesses and organizations are gathering toys, including members of the Branchville Hose Company, Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, Frankford Township Fire Department, Sandyston Township Volunteer Fire Department, Sussex Fire and Emergency Medical Service, and Ladies Auxiliary of the Sussex Fire Department along with the Kiwanis Club of Sussex and Royal Buick GMC of Sussex,
A special community drop-off event will be hosted at Off Shore Marine from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; photos with Santa will be available.
Toys will be accepted there through Thursday, Dec. 12.
• Sussex County Community College (SCCC) plans to raise money for student scholarships by offering six winter and holiday backdrops where residents may take family holiday photos.
Residents may bring cameras and take as many pictures as they like in each scene from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. Dec. 5 is for students and staff only.
The scenes will be set up in Academic & Athletic Building, Room E206. Parking is available in upper lot #5; follow the signs.
The cost is $20 per family for community members and $15 for SCCC employees and students. Cash only.
• Pajama Drive: Donate a new pair of pajamas for children age 2 to teen. Dec. 9 is the deadline to drop off donations in box in the main office of Lafayette Township School, 178 Beaver Run Road.
• Local First Hope Bank branches and the Andover Fire Department are collecting nonperishable food donations for the Sussex and Warren County food pantries through Dec. 16.
Donations may be dropped off at the Andover Township Fire Department, 625 Limecrest Road, or any First Hope Bank branch.
Items needed are cereal, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, meals in a can, soup, tuna, shelf-stable milk, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, canned vegetables, fruit juice, pasta, rice, pet food, laundry detergent, socks, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner.
Food donations will be used to stuff a firetruck from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the bank’s Andover branch, 161 Newton Sparta Road. There will be photos with Santa, music and hot chocolate.
• Project Self-Sufficiency is seeking monetary donations and gift cards to local stores to be distributed to senior citizens as part of the agency’s Earth Angels initiative.
In mid-December, students in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school diploma program will stuff festive bags with the cards and gifts. The items will be delivered by volunteers and Project Self-Sufficiency staff to homebound seniors during the week leading up to Christmas.
Along with monetary contributions, the agency is seeking donations of gift cards from local retailers, including Kohl’s, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Walmart, Weis, and the hair salons at the Homestead and Liberty Towers senior residences.
Money may be donated online at projectselfsufficiency.org or by making out a check to Project Self-Sufficiency and indicating Earth Angels on the memo line. Donations of checks and gift cards may be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill St., Newton. For information, call Alice Prendergast at 973-940-3500.
• Wantage United Methodist Church is seeking donations of winter apparel, including new or gently used winter coats in all sizes for men, women and children. Also needed are mittens, gloves, hats (must be new), thermal socks, scarves and thermal underwear.
All of the items will be distributed for free to those in need at the 14th annual Christmas Day dinner on Dec. 25 at the church, 199 Libertyville Road.
The church will be open from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturdays to accept donations. Donations also may be dropped off before or after church services Sundays.
If you need to have your donation picked up, contact Melissa to arrange a pickup. Call her at the church at 973-875-4488 or send a text to her cellphone at 973-997-1822.
• The Sussex County Recovery Community Center will have a Giving Back Tree through the end of 2024.
Drop off nonperishable food items at 65 Newton Sparta Road, Newton, for the Sussex County Division of Social Services Food Pantry to create weekend food bags for children in local schools.
On Friday, Jan. 10, gather at the RCC to share a meal and assemble the weekend bags. For information, call 973-940.2966.
Please send information about other ways to help those in need to editor.ann@strausnews.com