Warren Middle School Peer Leaders Take Part in United Way Campaign

WARREN, NJ — Each year, United Way of Northern New Jersey seeks help from the community to bring holiday cheer and much-needed winter apparel through the United Way’s “Gifts of the Season” campaign to approximately 4,000 Somerset County children, adults with disabilities and seniors in need, according to the organization.

Warren Middle School 8th grade peer leaders, along with teachers Susan Cooper and Lynn Degen, heeded the call and recently volunteered to sort donations, helping to match toys to children who had made special wishes.

“Thanks to the generosity of thousands of individuals, groups, and organizations, ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and those in poverty in our communities are able to celebrate the holidays,” the United Way of Northern New Jersey said in a statement. “When parents receive gifts for their children through the program, they are able to avoid going into debt by utilizing their limited resources to pay for basic needs such as food, utilities and rent.

— By Mary Ann McGann

(Photo via Warren Township Schools: Warren Middle School 8th grade peer leaders volunteered for the United Way “Gifts of the Season” campaign on Dec. 16. From left, back row - Vanessa Huang, Isabella Bruno, Sunwoo Park, Sanford Friedman, Chad Martini, teacher Susan Cooper. From left, middle row - Ajay Patel, Dean Koenig, Jacob Bash, Harrison Gillenwater, Annabelle Siegel, Jordyn Youngelson, teacher Lynn Degen, Camille Brady, Abigail Shanahan. From left, front row - Michael Minieri, Kaitlyn Roth, Emily Gnoy, Josephine Pascale, Gabriella Pontoriero, Jessica Piegaro.)

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