Grandparents Who Can't Afford To Give Gifts Will Helped By Hoboken Drive

HOBOKEN, NJ — A local nonprofit organization is running a toy drive with a twist — it's collecting toys so that senior citizens in the Greenville section of Jersey City can choose presents for their grandchildren.

This is "something they may not usually be able to afford to do," said Jessica Dyer, who's accepting toys at her coffee shop, Joey No Nuts, at the corner of Willow Avenue and Seventh Street in Hoboken.

The organization is AngelaCARES, a nonprofit run by Jersey City Assemblywoman Angela McKnight. Their 4th Annual Remember to Love Toy Drive is accepting new and unwrapped toys.

Dyer said, "The drive was started in 2019 in our first months of opening the shop — this is our fourth year collecting toys. It began when my good friend and fellow writer approached me with the idea as a way to honor her late sister."

Toys are being accepted at the shop through this Friday, Dec. 16.

The drop off hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30. The cafe can collect them via the walk-up window on Seventh Street.

Joey No Nuts, at 638 Willow Ave., has window service and offers nut-free beverages and snacks that people with food allergies can enjoy.

They're doing this in partnership with artist/writer Melida Rodas, Cara Squared, Tiffany Pinero Style, and Angela V. McKnight of AngleaCARES.

“AngelaCARES serves as an advocate and support system for senior citizens, a support system for senior caregivers, and a mentor to the youth by educating and empowering them to volunteer," says the group's mission. "We are committed to strengthening communities by enhancing the quality of life through empowering our seniors, their caregivers, and the youth.”

More information on the organization is here: https://www.angelacares.org