Help Spread Holiday Cheer to Neighbors in Need This Season

The public can make the holidays a little brighter this season for less fortunate neighbors in eastern Bergen County. The Community Chest asks people and businesses to help neighbors in need with a contribution to the organization's annual Holiday Gift Card Drive program. For 85 years, The Chest has led social service initiatives and supported nonprofits to make local communities stronger and benefit people in the area.

"While the holidays are enjoyable times for most people, others dread these days because they do not have the funds to participate in them. This year, neighbors facing a range of issues will receive the gift cards, including single mothers struggling to buy basic necessities such as soap, toilet paper, and detergent, while trying to provide holiday presents for their families. Other recipients are senior citizens trying to make ends meet, including a 91-year-old woman with no living family and another in her eighties, who is looking for employment to supplement Social Security payments and avoid eviction," said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director of The Community Chest.

To help neighbors in the area experiencing difficulties during the holiday season, The Chest selected five nonprofit organizations providing services to individuals and families in the area to identify and distribute the gift cards. These nonprofit organizations will receive $1,000 each to purchase gift cards to distribute to their most needy clients: Bergen Family Center, Center for Food Action, Southeast Senior Center for Independent Living, Office of Concern Food Pantry at St. Cecilia, and the Women's Rights Information Center. Families receive up to $100, with smaller amounts awarded to individuals. Last year, 260 gift cards were distributed to families and individuals.

Why should you give? "The Community Chest reviews and vets all the nonprofit organizations selected to receive the gift card donations. Their staffs know the individuals and families' circumstances, and the gift cards are given anonymously. Each year, recipients express their gratitude for The Community Chest's gifts and tell us how important this was to be able to celebrate with their family and friends. The public can make a difference and help them celebrate and enjoy this holiday season," said Wimpfheimer.

To support the annual Holiday Gift Card Drive program, The Chest launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $5,000. Contributions to the program may be done online or by mailing a check to The Community Chest, located at 122 South Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey 07631. Contributions are tax-deductible, as permitted by law.

For further information about The Community Chest or the Holiday Gift Card Program, call (201) 568-7474 or contact shelly@communitychestofenglewood.org.