Fresh Food offered at Project Self-Sufficiency through Angel Food Ministries

The next deadline for ordering fresh food through the Angel Food Ministries program is Sunday, January 23rd. Orders will be delivered on Saturday, January 29th at 11:00 a.m. The program offers fresh food at bargain prices, allowing recipients to purchase meats, fruits and vegetables, pasta and canned goods for just $28.95 per box. Boxes are designed to feed a family of 4 for about a week or a single invidual for about a month. The menu changes monthly; special meals are available for seniors and those with food allergies. There is no limit to the number of boxes which can be ordered. The organization even takes food stamps. To place an order, visit the Angel Food Ministries website, www.angelfoodministries.com or call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500. Payment is made when the order is placed.

Thank You, Sussex County!

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the Sussex County community, the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive achieved its goal of collecting 7,500 new and unwrapped gifts for the low-income families served by Project Self-Sufficiency and Pass it Along. Our heartfelt thanks to the co-sponsors of the Season of Hope: The New Jersey Herald, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Sussex Honda, and Mugs Media. In addition, we would like to thank the Newton Police department for donating their assistance during the Season of Hope toy shop, and all of those individuals and organizations who dropped off toys anonymously at the many collection sites throughout the county.

The following individuals and organizations hosted toy drives or made contributions: Linda Abrams; Allison, Ashley, Tucker and Jack Allocca; Kathy Ambrosio; John Angelini; Cathleen Arnold; Jill and Gary Bainbridge; Janet Bardello; Barbara Bayles; Donna Belott; Barb and Al Benna; Marie and Ed Bernegger; Lois Borkowski; Kelly Born; Joanne Bottee; RoseMary Boyer; Jim Brady; Kathleen Brennan; Dorothy and Dewitt Budd; Sara Budd; Laura Bugay; Megan and Jacklyn Butto; Kathy Cafasso; Craig and Heather Calhoun; Boy Carey; Joan Casterlin; Linda Cerra; Cora Chandler; Assemblyman Gary Chuisano; Doris Christian; Lauren Conklin; Wendy Cooney; Jeannine Cottrell; Courtney D'Agostino; Carole and Charles Dakake; Jeff Daly; Audrey D'Angelo; Kevin Dean; Sue De Bonis; Reagan and Paige De Caro; Tina and Joe De Feo; Dot Dedrick; Christine De Stefano; Gail Di Paolo; Colleen and Shannon Duffy; Mary Dunleavey; the Earle Family; Bonnie and Megan Eicke; Dorothy Eckweiler; Judi Edgerly; Paris Eliades; Anne English; Pat Fargo; Francesca Fazzolari; Jodi Hernandez; Mariann Ferrreira; Michael Filipowski; the Finkle Family; Annabel Fitzpatrick; Amy Frapaul; Melissa and Peter Freund; Msgr. James F. Gacquin; Cindy Gaecheter; the Galan Family; Patti Gallagher; Betty Geisert; Patti Giles; Annie Glynn; Rosemarie Goetsch; Janet Goodwin; Beverly and Bruce Gordon; Dr. William and Ann Gray; Jennifer Green; Toni Ree Grenz; Kathy Grillo; Reverend Robert Griner; Gulbadan Habibi; Kathy Hargrave; Beth Harper; Hope Hartman; Joanne Hasbach; Skylar Hildebrandt; Kathy Hodgson; June and Martin Hoffman; Kyle Holland; Lori Hollan; Mary Lou Holterman; Karen Hunsicker; Rose Anne Ingraham; David and Margery Inkeles; Nancy Jacobus; Beth Johnson; Dawn Johnson; Ernie Jones; Kathy Jones; Robin and Tim Kaminski; Kathy Kidder; Ken Kievit; Julie Killen; Lauren King; Kim King; Roy and Susan Knutsen; Bethany Konopinski; Jennie Kristiansen; Marion Lanterman; the Lawson Family; Pam Leto; Karen Lewandowski; ron Lewandowski; Arlene Lister; Tom and Marilyn Litteer; Nancy Loller; Elsie Lorber; Suzanne Lowrey; Susan Loyas; Joseph Lusardi; the Lutz Family; Dr. Thomas Lynch; Lauren MacIntosh; Melissa and Hon Marchioni; Nicole Marino; Michelle Marshiano; Suzanne Mazur; Priscilla McAuliffe; Helene McGill; Patty McGuigan; Mary Kay McLaughlin; Eugene McNicholas; Marianne Meehan; Cindy Meyer; Liz Meyer; Pam Michaluk; Dina Mikulka; Kris Minkewicz; Jess Minnick; Katerina Moklak; Shannon Muhlenbruch; Stephanie Muhlenbruch; Susan and Gregory Murphy; Richard Myers; Kathy Nauta; Mary Nelson; Sharon Olsen; Senator Steve Oroho and Family; Dr. Michelle O'Shea; Dan Papa; Sandy Pender; Meg Penny; J.P. Perry; Colleen Perigo; Don Peter; Gail Peterson; Mona Pettenger; Jaynie Pfitzenmayer; Lorna and George Phipps; Jennifer Plotts; Patricia and Matthew Poth; Susan Poust; the Proulx Family; Clarisse Ramirez; Margy Raser; Lorraine Redlich; Elenor Reilly; Sharon Richmond; Tom and Robin Rizzo; Matt Rohsler; Allison Rossi; Hope Rudder; Thomas Russo; Fran Sandomeno; Denise and Don Sandoval; Susan Sawley; Suzanne Schiavoni; Debbie Schmidt; Sharon and Robert Schneider; Robin Schulman; Joyce Scott; Rhoda Seider; Kathy Seward; Kathie Shankman; Marianne Smith; Sharon Smith; Carole Sobiechowski; Lynn Sodera; Marla Somerville; Mary Spector; Dr's Kim and Greg Stetzel; Debbie Sutton; Donna Tappan; Diane Taylor; Mary Thompson; Judy Togno; Sally Tomasino; E. Jane Van Syckle; Nancy Van Syckle; Erin Vrindten; Karin Walsh; Nancy Weiler; Melissa Weis; Wendy Whipple; June Whitsworth; Kathleen Williams; Lisa Williams; Nancy Williams; Rose Ann Wilson; Patricia Wolfrum; Janet Worman; Dawn Wtulich; Marianne Zanetakos; Andover Brownie Troop # 492; BASF Corporation; Blair Academy; Branchville Chiropractic; Byram Intermediate School; Cardiology Associates of Sussex County; Christ Episcopal Church; Columbiettes #12974; Criminal Justice Club; SCCC; Crystal Springs; Dennis Library; First Hope Bank; First Presbyterian Church of Newton; First Presbyterian Church of Newton Youth Group; Fonzarelli's; Frankford Township Student Council; Garden State Supporters; GDS Foods; George Michael Salon; Green Township Girl Scouts Troop # 720; Hardyston Township; High Point Regional High School Library; High Point Regional High School Peer Counseling; Hilltop Country Day School; Immaculate Conception School; James Alexander Corporation; Kittatinny Girl Scouts Service Unit; Kittatinny Regional High School Student Council and Cheerleaders; the Ladies of Three Seasons; Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks; Lenape Valley Regional High School; Living Waters Fellowship; Marine Corps League; Mary Kay; Melchior Chapter #131 Order of the Eastern Star; Mom's Club of Newton, Hampton and Frankford; Morris, Downing & Sherred, LLP; Newton Bridge Club; Ogdensburg Public School; Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church; The Paint Stop; Patrick's Wine Bar; Pope John High School; Reverend Brown School; Rumors II Salon, Franklin and Vernon; Selective Insurance Company of America; Sparta Educators Association; Sparta High School FBLA; Sparta Medical Associates in Andover, Sparta, Newton, Hamburg; Sparta Middle School; Sparta Women's Club; Stanhope/Byram Library; State Farm Insurance; Stillwater School; St. Jude the Aposte Church; St. Joseph's School; St. Monica's Church, 7th Grade CCD Class; Sussex Christian School; Sussex County 4-H Teen Council; Sussex County Library; Sussex County PAL Local 138; Sussex Inn; Sussex Wantage Retired Teachers Association; Sutherland Packaging; Toys for Tots; Town of Newton; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sussex County; Valley View Care Center; Vernon Library; Vernon School District DILS and Pre-DILS Programs; Wanderers Car Club; Western Hills Church; A & B Bagels; Ailish's Alpine Paint Center; Alexandra Labrum; An Open Book; Bagel Bistro; Ballet Barre; Betty Brite Cleaners; Black Bear Fitness; Chase Bank of Hampton; Clear Channel Radio; Coldwell Banker; Curves of Sparta; Dr. Kowalsky; Drayer Physical Therapy; Dunkin Donuts; Espresso Yourself; First Hope Bank; Franklin Cleaners; Garick RV; Holiday Inn Express; Lockwood Farms; McGuire Chevrolet; The Medicine Shoppe; Ms. Lisa's Toys; Office of the Sussex County Clerk; Sparta Athletic Club; Star Cleaners; The Scissor Joint; Vernon Plaza Cleaners; Weichert Realtors of Vernon; Mindy Affriul; Lauren Alger; Lawrence Alger; Margaret Anderson; Thomas Aspinwall; Hunter Barnes; Caroline Becker; Hayley Bell; Ruth Lee Bonventre; Chris Bore; Cheryl Brewer; Alex Brunetti; Andrew Brunetti; Jess Butler; Caroline Butter; Donna Btuzke; Scott Byers; Deb Carter; Neil Casey; Dawn Chandler; Robin Chandler; Dawn Corbo; Diane Criscuoli; Krystal Daescher; Jena Daud; Beth Dauer; Judy Dauer; Tracey De Waal; Alex Del Valle; Amie De Feo; The Drummond Family; Bonnie Ecke; Colleen Eger; Tyler Erhard; Ben Ervey; Sandy Erwin; Kelsey Falkowski; Kirsten Flaherty; Gina Fontana; Casey Gallagher; Marchia Gan; Scott Geoffy; Maureen Gill; Nicole Hart; Chris Hatter; Paula Hauck; Amy Hotz; Kelsi Huber; Rich Illingworth; Judy Johnson; Joanne Johus; Kayla Kahn; Mary Ellen Kahn; Carrine Kaugher; Lauren King; Megan King; Frank Kochey; Elizabeth Kunesch; Amanda Lannozzi; Billy Leenheer; Stephanie Leenheer; Sarah Leonardo; Hope Leone; Jeri Lewandowski; Arielle Lusardi; Jake Lynch; Nick Lynch; Michael Madsen; Elaine Madsen; Katie Madsen; Tommy Madsen; Debra Major; Kathy Marcotulli; Vicky Martin; Karne Mayer; Suzanne Mayer; Delores McDonough; Caitlin McGuinness; Christine McIntire; Cat Miller; Erin Miller; Terri Miller; Allison Mycer; Marilyn Naute; Riley Negron; Maria Nelson; Kirsten Noggle; Holly Ortiz; Charlotte Paparella; Melissa Paterson; Nicolle Petrillo; Ginny Priko; Derek Priko; Tammy Quasius; Samantha Rajczyk; the Rivera Family; Denis Roberta; Erica Roberts; Preston Rowan; Ashley Russo; Maggie Ryan; Mary Ann Ryan; Krista Shugert; Christine Slater; Deena Smith; Marianne Smith; Eric Smuda; Patty Stegar; Hannah Tracy; Mara Veidis; Mark Veidis; Devin Viggano; Brian Vinniski; Connie Warren; Brad Webster; Kayla Williams; Erin Wolters; Robin Wood; Whitney Wood; Susan Yost; Alexis Zimmerman; and Donna Zimmerman.

Thank you and warm wishes for a wonderful new year!

Register Now for January Computer Classes

A variety of computer classes will be offered during the month of January, including a basic Introduction to Personal Computers, introductory classes in Microsoft Word and Excel, and a course in Quickbooks Accounting Software. Classes designed just for seniors and for men will also be held in the agency's Career Center. Be sure to check out Careering 101, the Job Club, and the Employment Lab. The fee for each course is $10; students must be registered Project Self-Sufficiency or Family Success Center participants. Call 973-940-3500 for a complete schedule.

Parenting Workshops Available in January

Make a New Year's resolution to brush up on your parenting skills by signing up for one of the free parenting workshops at Project Self-Sufficiency. Starting in January, courses will be offered for parents of children of all ages. Classes for Spanish-speaking parents will also be available. Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register.

Season of Hope Wraps Up

Project Self-Sufficiency and Pass it Along would like to thank Mugs Media, Intercar Mercedes Benz, the New Jersey Herald and all of those individuals and organizations who helped to support the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive this year. We collected more than 4,500 new and unwrapped items for infants through teens. Since we fell short of our goal of 7,500 gifts, Project Self-Sufficiency will continue to accept donations this week. If you have not had the opportunity to contribute, now is your chance. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

Meet Eileen Bostonian, Breast Cancer Survivor

Look for the article about Eileen Bostonian, breast cancer survivor, in this Sunday's New Jersey Herald. Eileen managed to battle breast cancer and complete college at the same time. We salute Eileen and all of the women who have been featured in the Mammograms Save Lives campaign!

Beverly Gordon Named as New Jersey Hero for Work with Project Self-Sufficiency

Congratulations to Board President Beverly Gordon, who was recently honored as a New Jersey Hero, by First Lady Mary Pat Christie who singled out Bev, and 3 other worthy individuals, for their compassion and humanity. Beverly was recognized for her work with Project Self-Sufficiency. She has served on the board of directors since 1998 and volunteered as Board President since 2004. The New Jersey Heroes program highlights the positive impact individuals and organizations are having on the state of New Jersey. Awardees are nominated by New Jersey residents through the First Lady's website, with a different individual selected each month for recognition at a special ceremony in Princeton.

Toy Drive Continues

The Season of Hope holiday toy drive continues to reach new donors. We have collected 2,959 new and unwrapped items for boys and girls as of Wednesday, December 8th. Our goal of 7,500 toys may still be within reach! Thanks to all who have supported the effort on behalf of the low-income families served by Project Self-Sufficiency and Pass it Along.

Agency Supporters Honored at Mosaic Awards

Project Self-Sufficiency hosted the 14th annual Mosaic Awards to recognize those individuals and organizations that have provided invaluable support to the agency during the past year. Individuals who were lauded included Donna Allison; Janet Delmonico; Lynn Delfing; Colleen Duffy and the First Presbyterian Church of Newton Youth Group; Samantha Lupo and the Kittatinny Regional High School Cheerleaders; Katie Pachnos; Cecelia Puglio; Shirley Smith; Jance Pasculli, Esquire; Nadalie Pierre-Louis; and Patrick Thomas.

Local non-profit organizations Birth Haven and the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council were commended for their support of Project Self-Sufficiency.

Businesses receiving recognition included Bob and Rob Cahill of Cahill Farms; Larry Freeborn from Tranquility Farms; John Mathews from Hinkley Auto Sales; and High Point Solutions employees Michael Mendiburu, Chris Niehoff and Dennis Dorrity.

Toys Pile Up

We have received 2,247 new and unwrapped items for infants through teens as of today, December 7th, for the Season of Hope holiday toy drive. The goal of 7,500 toys by Monday, December 13th is still within reach. Monetary donations for the purchase of toys will also be gratefully received. Thanks to all who have already participated!

Toys Needed for Season of Hope Collection

Project Self-Sufficiency and Pass it Along have received 1,673 toys for the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive as of Monday, December 6th. The goal is to collect 7,500 toys for infants through teens by Monday, December 13th. New and unwrapped items can be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency or at any of the sites listed on the Pass it Along website, http://www.passitalong.org/.

Season of Hope Toy Drive in Need of Donations

The Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive has managed to collect 1,503 new and unwrapped gifts for infants through teens as of today, Friday, December 3rd. Our goal is 7,500 items. Project Self-Sufficiency and Pass it Along will also gratefully receive monetary donations for the purchase of gifts. Please drop off donations at Project Self-Sufficiency, or at any of the drop-off locations noted on the Pass it Along website, http://www.passitalong.org/. Many thanks for your generosity!

Vendor List for Holiday Market under the Stars Grows

The Holiday Market under the Stars will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency on Friday, December 3rd, from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. The $10 entrance fee and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency. Current vendors include George's Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Ward's Flowers & Gifts, Andre's Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Charm, Cheddar Alley, Chocolate Goat, Coats Jewelers Repair & Engraving Shop, Dove Chocolate Discovery, Flower Creek Farm, Garden of Life Yoga, Hayek's, Hidden Pastures Alpaca, Honeybee Mountainwall Handknits, Krave Cafe & Caterers, Lisa's Multi-Media Gallery, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Maxwell & Molly's Closet, MoonSparkle Designs Glass Jewelry, Mother Moon Baby Boutique, MZI Scarves, Orr's Clothing, P B & J, Peter's Valley Craft Center, Robin Lennon Designs, Roy Kehl Stained Glass, Spring House Creamery, Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council, Trailworks, Trimmings, and Truffles.

Becoming You: Legal Careers for Women is a Hit!

A special thank you to Ann Pompelio, Megan Clark, Dianne Rude and Laura Zartman who shared their insight and expertise as professionals in the field of law at last night's forum, "Becoming You: Legal Careers for Women." The next installment of the series, "Becoming You: Animal Care Careers" will take place on Thursday, January 20th, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.