Area Schools Collect Record Number of Toys in Friendly Competition

Students from 31 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties spent the last few weeks collecting more than 5,500 new, unwrapped toys in a friendly Stuff the Stocking competition to benefit the 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 donations for their schools. This year, two schools finished in first place, bringing in more than 1,800 items collectively: North Warren Regional School District and defending champion Pope John XXIII Middle School. Second place honors go to the Hardyston School District, with three-time champion Green Hills School coming in at third place.

The Season of Hope Toy Drive is a joint effort coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its partners First Hope Bank, Gravity DesignWorks, iHeartMedia, Inc., Intercar Mercedes Benz, Off Shore Marine, Pass it Along, The Printing Center, The New Jersey Herald, Selective Insurance Company of America, Service Electric Broadband Cable, Sparta Train Station, Stocker Bus Company, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex County Community College, Sussex Honda, and the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. New, unwrapped toys and gift are provided to children in need from Sussex County, as well as residents of Northern Morris and Warren Counties. This month, more than 2,100 children received new gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop.

“The holidays can be a challenging time for many families in our area,” comments 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 this season. We are grateful to these students and their schools for supporting this effort and making this the most successful Stuff the Stocking contest to date.”

Participating schools in this year’s Stuff the Stocking contest included Alpine Montesorri, Blair Academy, Blairstown Elementary, Byram Intermediate, Cedar Mountain, Clifton Lawrence, Florence Burd, Frankford Elementary, Franklin Borough School, Fredon Elementary, Glen Meadows Middle School, Green Hills, Hardyston Elementary and Middle Schools, Hilltop Country Day School, Kittatinny, Lafayette, Long Pond, Lounsberry Hollow, McKeown, Newton High School, North Warren Regional, Northwest Christian School, Pope John Middle School, Reverend Brown, Rolling Hills, Sandyston-Walpack, Stillwater, Sussex Middle School, Valley Road, Vernon High School, and Wantage Elementary.

“It’s wonderful to see the spirit of giving that is evident in our students,” remarks Rosalie Lamonte, Sussex County Superintendent of Schools. “We commend them for sharing holiday joy with those who are less fortunate.”

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 or 844-807-3500.

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. “The goal of Grow NJ Kids is t

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 those who refer a young a

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 skills, prepare for the hig

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