Hillsborough Grad Brightens Holiday Season For 96 Homeless People

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough High School graduate and entrepreneur Michael Panchery raised more than $600 by selling cell phone cases to help 96 homeless people this holiday season. This is double the amount of people he was able to help over last year.

This year, Panchary sold 28 cases, surpassing last year's 24, and also received numerous donations for a total of $610. Last year, he raised $376.

Panchery began designing and selling cell phone cases last year as a Hillsborough High School graduate to create homeless care packages which include hats, gloves, socks, and hygiene kits for those in need.

"With the increase in profit, I met my goal of assembling more packages, a total of 96, double last year's 48. Each package this year contains a winter hat, gloves, socks, and a hygiene kit," said Panchery.

On Tuesday, Panchery delivered the packages to the Unity Square Community Center (Catholic Charities) in New Brunswick.

Panchery credited the success of his project to: Veronica Armour, a representative of the Rutgers I.D.E.A Entrepreneurship Program; Janine Erickson, Hillsborough Township Committee; Isabella Shibli, Myra Lekic, and Ramneet Kaur, three Rutgers students who assisted with sales.

"It is comforting to know that during these difficult times, and under these circumstances, there are still people willing to give back to their community," said Panchery.

• Read More: Hillsborough Grad Is Helping Homeless By Selling Phone Cases

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