Military Veterans Assist Marine Corps Toys for Tots

December 7, 2015 (Newton, NJ) - Veterans from Sussex County’s robust population of retired servicemen and women assisted a military convoy from the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program with the delivery of thousands of toys on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive. The effort aims to gather 20,000 toys to benefit children in Sussex and northern Warren Counties.

“We are particularly grateful for the involvement of the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program with the Season of Hope Toy Drive,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency, the lead agency in the toy collection effort. “Today is a somber date of historical significance for our country, but having Sussex County veterans here with us gives us a reason to celebrate and unite for the common purpose of bringing joy to local children.”

The toy drive is a joint effort coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency, along with its partners Charm, The Chatterbox Drive In, iHeartMedia, Inc., Intercar Mercedes Benz, Pass it Along, Selective Insurance Company of America, Service Electric Broadband Cable, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Sussex Honda, The New Jersey Herald, The Printing Center, and the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots to benefit local families in need.

Sussex County Freeholder and Korean War veteran Richard Vohden was on hand to help with the project. He summed up the significance of the season and the toy drive, saying, “Christmas is not about receiving. The true spirit lies in giving, not only to our families and to ourselves, but also to those less fortunate than us.”

Those who wish to contribute to the Season of Hope Holiday Toy Drive are encouraged to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Project Self-Sufficiency. Gift items will be gratefully received at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton, Monday – Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. or Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Additional drop-off sites will be added in the coming weeks. Donations are requested by December 16th in order to allow ample time for the items to be distributed to needy families. For more information, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.