Green Hills School Accepts Stuff the Stocking Trophy

Students and staff at the Green Hills School recently accepted the inaugural Stuff the Stocking trophy, marking the school’s winning collection of toys for the 2014 Season of Hope Toy Drive. The Stuff the Stocking contest involved 27 elementary, middle and high schools throughout Sussex and Northern Warren Counties. Newton High School placed second in the competition, with the Reverend George A. Brown School coming in third. Spearheaded by Project Self-Sufficiency, the Season of Hope toy drive gathered 20,000 toys for distribution to more than 1,800 children in mid-December.

As the winner of the 2014 Stuff the Stocking contest, Green Hills School was to receive a monetary contribution toward its activities fund, along with the trophy which will have to be defended next year. However, according to Steve Bird, the 5th Grade Math Teacher and Student Council Advisor to the 6th Grade, the school decided to donate the monetary award back to the Season of Hope Toy Drive to be used next year. “We believe that giving back to the community is an important part of education here at Green Hills School.”

Project Self-Sufficiency spearheads the Season of Hope Toy Drive with the assistance of local social service agencies, other organizations and businesses. During 2014, the group included Charm, the Chatterbox Drive-In, iHeartMedia, Intercar Mercedes Benz, Pass it Along, Selective Insurance Company of America, Skylands Stadium, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex Honda, The New Jersey Herald, The Printing Center, and Toys for Tots.

“Having children involved in helping other children to enjoy the holiday season was very important to us,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency, in regard to the Stuff the Stocking contest. “We were very excited to have all of these schools come together in support of the low-income families in our area, and we hope to have even more schools participate next year.”

Project Self-Sufficiency was founded in 1986 with the goal of providing housing assistance to local low-income women. Since then the agency has grown to provide an array of services aimed primarily at low-income families. Programs include career guidance, computer training, help with obtaining a GED, parenting skills classes, legal assistance and education, financial workshops, health education, childcare and family activities. The agency offers help around the holidays, formal dresses during prom season, and assistance with emergency basic needs, such as food and clothing to its participants. Most services are free and many are open to the public. For more information, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.