Stuff the Boat on behalf of the Season of Hope Toy Drive

The Branchville Fire Department and patrons of local business Off Shore Marine have joined forces to fill a ski boat to the brim with toys to benefit the Season of Hope Toy Drive. The toy drive, driven and coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency along with a consortium of local businesses, schools and organizations, aims to gather 20,000 toys to benefit children in Sussex and northern Warren Counties this December.

The 21-foot Nautique water craft is a competitive ski boat known for setting world records in speed and waterskiing disciplines. Sherri Cecchini, owner of Off Shore Marine, thought it would be put to good use during the off season to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in need. She hopes to set a new record of sorts. “Last year we collected $4,500 worth of toys, and this year we want to exceed that,” she recalls. “Our business is family-owned and operated and we have been blessed. We can use our customer base to boost our giving power. The Branchville Fire Department is also making a huge effort to contribute.” The company is accepting toy donations through Monday, December 12th.

“This collaboration between a business and the local fire department perfectly demonstrates the true spirit of giving during this holiday season,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “This community is unique in its commitment to its neighbors in need. Thousands of families will be helped by this effort. We are truly grateful.”

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. Individuals, civic groups, and businesses have been gathering toys in anticipation of this year’s event. The Stuff the Stocking contest pitting area schools against each other in a friendly competition is also underway.

Contributions of new, unwrapped toys for the Stuff the Boat campaign will be welcomed at Off Shore Marine, 352 Route 206 in Branchville through Monday, December 12th. Gift items and monetary donations will also 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. Donations are requested by December 15th in order to allow ample time for the items to be distributed to needy families. To make a donation online, or for more information, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.