Middlesex Co. 4-H Hosts 25th Year Of Project GIFT In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ —Middlesex County’s 4-H Youth Development Program hosted the 25th Project GIFT on Dec. 18 in the 4-H Center at Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

The event, which is held each year, provides a day of free holiday shopping to over 120 families in Middlesex County. In addition to over 1,000 gifts, parents also had access to a gift wrap station, childcare, snacks, and refreshments.

Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios thanked county residents for donating to the program. “Since it began 25 years ago, Project GIFT has made a huge difference in our community by supplying more than 20,000 gifts to Middlesex County families in need. I want to thank all the 4-H members, as well as all the 4-H advisers, for all of the hard work they put into making this year’s Project GIFT a success,” Rios said.

Founded in 1997, Project GIFT has reached over 6,500 youth and raised almost $250,000 through donations and fundraising. The project has given more than 20,000 gifts, and has helped teens engage in community service through the 4-H program.

“To see the smiles on the faces of these young people and understanding that our efforts are creating a positive impact on their lives and families, makes all the difference. There is no greater joy than to know that Middlesex County’s 4-H is helping to make priceless memories around the holidays,” Middlesex County 4-H Agent Laura Bovitz said.

Over 75 4-H members participated in event this year, with many donating hundreds of hours of their time since the Middlesex County Fair in August to raise funds, gather donations and organize this event. The $10,000 budget came from other 4-H projects, such as the haunted house 4-H sets up every Halloween.

For more information, visit http://4hprojectgift.org/.

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