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Stuff the Stocking Contest Winners Announced

 

Reverend Brown Elementary School students collected toys for the Season of Hope Toy Drive

Despite the ongoing public health crisis, students from more than 25 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties spent the last few weeks of 2020 collecting thousands of toys and gift cards in a friendly Stuff the Stocking competition to benefit the Season of Hope Toy Drive.  During previous years, the winning school would take home the coveted Stuff the Stocking trophy, along with a monetary donation to their school’s activity fund.  Second and third place winners would also receive donations for their schools.  With the coronavirus upending school schedules and forcing most institutions to conduct learning remotely, donating to the Stuff the Stocking contest became more challenging for many students.  In response, Project Self-Sufficiency created new competition categories to reflect the altered learning landscape:  In-Person Schools, Remote Schools and Elementary Schools.

 

Tying for first place in the category of In-Person Schools were Pope John Middle School and Reverend Brown Elementary School.  North Warren Regional and Lenape Valley Regional shared first place in the Remote School category.  Fredon and Lounsberry Hollow tied for first place in the Elementary School division.

 

Participating schools in the 2020 Stuff the Stocking contest included Central Elementary, Florence Burd, Fredon Elementary, Glen Meadows, Green Hills,  Hardyston Township, High Point, Hilltop Country Day School, Kiddie Academy, Kittatinny Regional, Lafayette Elementary, Lenape Valley Regional High School, Long Pond, Lounsberry Hollow, McKeown, Newton High School, North Warren Regional, Pope John High School, Pope John Middle School, Reverend Brown, Rolling Hills, Sparta Middle School, Valley Road, Vernon Township High School, and Wallkill Valley Regional High School.

 

“Even during normal circumstances, the holidays can be a difficult time for many families in our area,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The overwhelming response by these students in the face of a global pandemic and the added challenges of remote school instruction demonstrates to the families served by Season of Hope Toy Shop that the community genuinely cares about them.  Having children select toys for other children is a special way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season.  We are exceptionally grateful to these students, their families, and the schools for supporting this effort.”

 

The Season of Hope Toy Drive is a joint initiative coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency and its community partners.  New, unwrapped toys and gift are provided to children in need from Sussex County and Northern Warren County.  In 2020, more than 2,000 children and teens received new gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop.  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.

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