Jersey City’s Mercy House distributed toys to 175 families during their annual holiday toy drive, which also helped families in Newark and Elizabeth.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Mercy House staff and volunteers handed out over 2,000 balls, dolls, and other fun items to 185 families in Jersey City on December 18th, 270 families in Newark on December 19th, and 165 families in Elizabeth on December 20th.
In addition to toys, parents were given bags of candy to fill their children’s stockings, while mother received bags with toiletries to ensure they will not have to think about buying essentials for themselves during the holiday season.
“Christmas is a season of giving, and that’s what this event is all about,” Cheryl A. Riley, director of The Mercy House, who added that toys were also sent to the Newark Police Department, the Gramon Family of Schools in Fairfield, and the Emmanuel Church of Christ in Newark, said in a statement.
“Many parents have added stress and financial pressure over the holidays, so we’re providing them with everything they need to make sure their children get a visit from Santa. What better way is there to celebrate Jesus’ birth than by helping people like he did?”
This year’s Christmas Giveaway was made possible through an extraordinary amount of donations from numerous archdiocesan parishes, schools, and individual donors.
That includes hundreds of contributions from St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City and St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, which also sent large groups of students to hand out toys in Jersey City and Newark, respectively.
Many organizations outside the Archdiocese of Newark supported the giveaway, as well. Among them were the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford, which donated more than 500 gifts.
The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing to anyone in need.
If you would like to volunteer or make a donation — financial contributions are especially appreciated — contact Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org. For more information, visit their website.
