Record Number of Schools Collect Toys in Friendly Competition

Students from a record-breaking 51 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties spent the last few weeks of 2025 collecting more than 9,000 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 coveted 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. This year, organizers have also awarded a trophy to the school which collected the most toys for the contest in Warren County. Overall, Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School was the victor in the 2025 contest, with more than 1,800 toys collected followed by Pope John Middle School and Ogdensburg Elementary. North Warren placed fifth in the overall contest but took home the newly minted Warren County Stuff the Stocking trophy. Great Meadows Middle School and the Washington School District placed second and third, respectively, in the Warren County contest.

Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive gathers new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for Sussex and Northern Warren County children and teens. In 2025, more than 2,300 children and teens received new gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop.

“The holidays can be a challenging time for many families in our area, and many are experiencing unprecedented economic stress,” commented 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 2025 effort the most successful Stuff the Stocking contest to date.”

Additional Sussex County schools which participated in the Stuff the Stocking contest included Alpine Montessori, Byram Intermediate, Cedar Mountain, Florence Burd, Franklin Borough, Glen Meadows Middle School, Green Hills, Halsted Middle School, Hardyston Middle School, High Point Regional High School, Kiddie Academy, Kittatinny High School, Lafayette Elementary School, Lenape Valley Regional High School, Long Pond, Lounsberry Hollow, McKeown Elementary, Montague Elementary, Newton High School, Pope John High School, Rolling Hills, Sandyston-Walpack, Sparta Middle School, Stillwater Elementary School, Sussex Christian School, Sussex Middle School, Sussex Technical School, Valley Road, Walnut Ridge Primary School, and Wantage Elementary School

Warren County contestants also included Allamuchy Township School, Blair Academy, Central Elementary, Frelinghuysen Elementary School, Hackettstown High School, Hope Township Elementary School, Knowlton Elementary, Mountain Villa, Pohatcong, Warren County Technical School, Warren Hills Regional High School, and Warren Hills Regional Middle School.

Information about the Season of Hope Toy Drive and the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency are available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org or by calling 973-940-3500.

High School Diploma Program Launches in March

Enrollment for the next session of the New Jersey Youth Corps program at Project Self-Sufficiency is underway. The sixteen-week program launches in March and is currently being offered as a hybrid of virtual and in-person curricula and activities. The New Jersey Youth Corps gives those who have not completed high school the opportunity to boost their literacy skills, prepare for the high school equivalency exam, obtain on-the-job work experience, and transition into a career, college or the military. Interested participants are invited to attend virtual Open House hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency to learn more about the New Jersey Youth Corps and to complete an application. Virtual Open Houses will be held on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m., January 19 th , 26 th , February 2 nd , 9 th , and 16th, as well as Thursdays at noon, January 21 st , 28 th , February 4 th , 11 th, and 18 th . In addition, Project Self-Sufficiency is offering a $100 gift card to t...

Little Sprouts Recognized for Excellence

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently awarded a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids , the state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey. The rating is based on a rigorous process which considers documentation, classroom environment, in-person observations, and other factors. The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is an expansive childcare and preschool facility which offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, and is operated by Project Self-Sufficiency at 127 Mill Street in Newton. Jennifer Blohm is a Technical Assistance Specialist from the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium , one of three agencies assigned to provide technical assistance and support to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids. Blohm was so impressed by the quality of the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center environment, that she decided to enroll her own child in the preschool. “...

Volunteers and Paid Instructors Needed for High School Equivalency Program

Paid instructors and volunteers are needed to work with young adults in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school equivalency and employment skills training program at Project Self-Sufficiency. Program coordinators are searching for help with tutoring in science, math, social studies, and English as well as assistance with community service projects. Tutors will also assist with basic reading comprehension and vocabulary. Opportunities are available Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; a part-time, flexible schedule is offered. "The situation is ideal for college students or educators who might be taking a break from their regular schedule due to the pandemic,” notes Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. Those with experience in business, construction trades, building maintenance and landscaping are particularly welcome. The New Jersey Youth Corps gives young adults the opportunity to augment their literacy ski...

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