Bergen In Color Hosts Toy Drive For Teaneck's Never Alone Again

TEANECK, NJ — Now in its second year, the Bergen In Color Toy Drive was forced to go mainly online amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the season of giving continues.

The project is a collaboration between Tevra Francis, the Publisher of Bergen In Color, and Shontaye Glover, a Bergen County based Speech Pathologist and founder of Having Our Say Speech and Language Therapy, LLC.

"We come together twice a year to fundraise and collect items for underserved children in Bergen County. Over the summer, we provided school supplies for over 500 students. This holiday season, we continue our tradition in the safest way possible," said Francis.

This holiday season the donations will go to the Teaneck-based Never Alone Again Resource Center.

"The Never Alone Again Resource Center is a fantastic local organization, and they are in need of funding and philanthropic support in order to continue their efforts in Bergen County," said Francis.

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The last day to order from the wish list is Dec. 18, but, according to Francis, donations can be delivered in-person to Never Alone Again, 668 American Legion Drive # 5, until Dec. 20.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, Francis said the community has relied even more on Never Alone Again, saying it has "increasingly become a hub for community giving and help since the COVID-19 economic shutdown."

She credits Director Theresa Johnston for her efforts, and now, is stepping in to add assistance to the woman and organization helping so many.

"Theresa Johnson is an amazingly self-less woman who dedicates all of her efforts to providing resources and love to those who need it most in our community," said Francis.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted many New Jersey families, and Francis and Glover have prepared for more families seeking a little help this holiday season.

"We definitely anticipate an increased demand for assistance this Christmas. There have been requests for inflatable air mattresses, a constant need for food, baby supplies, and toiletry items as families are being displaced, in shelters, or living in cramped conditions with families and friends. The need is so great, it can be overwhelming."

Overwhelming or not, Francis and Glover are stepping up to help.

"It is our hope that our efforts can put a smile on the faces of all of the kids who have had to overcome so many challenges this year," Francis said.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact montana.samuels@patch.com.