Preschool Adopts Four Area Families for the Holidays

With the holidays quickly approaching, The Goddard School located in Norwood, NJ “adopted” four area families in need through a partnership with area nonprofit The Big Gift of Christmas.
Dozens of volunteers, with the help of police escorts from the Cliff Side Park and Fairview police departments, were on hand on Saturday, Dec. 5, to deliver supplies and toys to each of the families.
“We often don’t realize the struggles of the families right next door,” said Anthony Vassallo, on-site owner of The Goddard School located in Norwood. “It feels good to be able to provide them with those necessities that many of us take for granted.”
This is the second year The Goddard School of Norwood held its Giving Tree initiative through a partnership with area nonprofit The Big Gift of Christmas. The goal was to collect items from wish lists submitted by the families such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, socks, coats, shoes, towels and more.
Goddard family members pulled wish list tags off the school’s “Giving Tree” and purchased those items to be donated to the families.
Goddard families, local businesses and vendors came together to raise more than $3,000 that went toward purchases of Christmas trees and decorations, and a full dinner delivered from Boston Market on any day of their choosing.
When it came to time to deliver the items, The Goddard School parents, staff and community members showed up with the donated items, as well as Christmas trees, lights and more to decorate each families’ home. Toys were also purchased and given to the children during the delivery.
Volunteering and organizing charitable events is an essential part of the preschool learning process at The Goddard School because of the importance of acting as models for children in giving back to the community. When children see family members or teachers engaging in small acts of kindness, without being asked or expecting anything in return, they begin to understand the value of giving back.