Free Concert To Benefit Helping Hands Of Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — As part of its ongoing outreach mission, the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) is hosting its first-ever community concert and free picnic on July 16, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to raise funds for the Chatham chapter of Helping Hands NJ.

Blue Soul, a popular local band, will perform for two hours, so bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, favorite picnic foods or appetizers and beverages of choice, PCCT said.

Grilled hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks will be provided by the church. An ice cream truck will be on hand to provide free ice cream treats, and some kid's games will be organized on the front lawn for part of the evening, making this a great family-friendly event.

"We want to celebrate our community, and especially lift up a mission partner that cares for the community with us. To this end, all attendees are encouraged to bring a donation item for the Helping Hands of Chatham charity that stores its donated goods in our church," The Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark Clémot, Senior Pastor of PCCT said.

According to Helping Hands, NJ, the most needed items at this time are:

• Shoprite gift cards (increments of $25 or less)
• Diapers (larger sizes preferred)
• Baby Care Items (unscented wipes, A&D ointment, baby shampoo and soap)
• Household cleaning items, laundry detergent
• Toiletries

"At 8:30 pm, as the concert ends, we will light up our steeple, which will be fully refurbished and painted to share the beauty of our church so lovingly restored. We are grateful to the anonymous donor that made this free dinner and concert possible, and for all of our volunteers who will be helping that night," PCCT said.

If you are unable to attend the concert, donations can be dropped off in a gray plastic box marked with Helping Hands signs in the back right corner of the PCCT parking lot.

Helping Hands NJ, which was founded in March 2020, collaborates with a growing network of individuals and organizations to distribute essential items such as grocery store gift cards, nutritious food, and toiletries, as well as resources to instill confidence and hope in local families in need.

For more information on the community event, visit http://www.pcct-nj.org or call (973)-635-2340.