News from Project Self-Sufficiency

  Students from a record-breaking 45 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties spent the last few weeks of 2022 collecting more than 7,000 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.   Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School was the victor in the 2022 contest, with more than 1,000 toys collected.   Returning champion Pope John XXIII Middle School took second place, with North Warren Regional High School coming in third.   Additional honors went to Longest Running Stocking Stuffer Hilltop Country Day School, Most Consistent Stocking Stuffer Hardyston School District, and Most Spirited Stocking Stuffer Green Hills School.   Rookie Stocking Stuffer of the Year went to fi

  Branchville business owner Sherri Cecchini and her staff recently towed a 2023 Barletta pontoon boat packed with toys and gift cards to Project Self-Sufficiency .   The boat’s arrival is part of the annual “Stuff the Boat” initiative on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive .   This year, the Stuff the Boat effort was coordinated by Off Shore Marine in conjunction with members of the fire departments in Branchville, Frankford, and Sussex, along with the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, Frankford Fire Department, Sussex Fire Department Emergency Medical Service, the Sussex Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Sussex Kiwanis Club, Royal Buick GMC of Sussex, and Wanderers Car Club   “Now more than ever, we are grateful for this community’s steadfast commitment to our neighbors in need.   This ongoing collaboration between a local business and area first responders perfectly demonstrates the true spirit of giving during this holiday season of unprecedented challenges,” commented Deborah Ber

  Football players and coaches from area high schools recently stopped by Project Self-Sufficiency to help set up the Season of Hope Toy Shop to benefit low-income children in Sussex and Warren counties.   The players and coaches hauled boxes, set up displays, packed resource bags, and even delivered a generous monetary donation.   The teams represented the Super Football Conference , an organization of 113 schools in northern New Jersey which is dedicated to developing student athletes on a conference, state, and national level.   “Project Self-Sufficiency is delighted to welcome assistance from volunteers of all ages as we set up the Season of Hope Toy Shop for children in need,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.   “These young men worked hard and exemplified the spirit of giving that is so crucial to the success of this endeavor year after year.   Thousands of families will be helped by their efforts.”   John Fraraccio, Memorial Hi