As the holiday season continues, many local businesses and organizations are offering ways to donate and spread the cheer.
The holiday season is a often a time filled with shared meals and gift giving, however this is not the case for the less fortunate. So, this holiday season, consider spreading the cheer and joyous spirit by donating to one of the many charitable opportunities taking place across Moorestown and the nearby communities.
For example, the Moorestown Library will be accepting donations during the holidays for the Burlington County Animal Alliance. The organization has set up a box at the front of the library and is requesting residents drop off cat and dog food and other supplies that can be used to help foster pets and other animals in need. To see a wish list specifically for Burlington County cats, which tend to accumulate fewer donations than dogs, visit http://www.bcaacats.com/wish-list-.
The library also has a box out for Toys for Tots, locally sponsored by the Golden Eagle Band. This box is serving to collect new, unwrapped toys for children in need. A big grocery card is also on display within the library all-year-round to collect food donations. This food-collection is sponsored by Live Civilly, an organization that provides nutritional and educational services to youth.
Additionally, a wish tree is set up in the front of the Moorestown Library, sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Moorestown in support of the Emergency and Community Services of Burlington County. People can chose a card with a child’s first name, age and a list of gifts he or she would like, and then they can donate one of these gifts, unwrapped and returned to the library by Sunday, Dec. 18, to the child in need. Through this program, community members can help made a child’s wish come true.
At the local schools, Baker Elementary School will hold a Toys for Tots collection from Thursday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 11 in Baker lobby, and is asking for new, unwrapped toys. This school will also take part in a Mitten Tree; collecting mittens, hats, gloves, underwear (2T-12), pajamas (up to size 8) and socks (all sizes) to be donated to Oaks Integrated Care. This drive will run through Wednesday, Dec. 21 and takes place in the Baker Lobby.
Roberts Elementary School is additionally collecting new and used adult and children’s coats, hats, gloves, scarves and socks for Code Blue Shelters of Burlington County from Monday, Dec. 5 through Monday, Jan. 9 in the Roberts lobby.
South Valley Elementary School is collecting new and used adult and children’s winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves and new socks for Code Blue Shelters of Burlington County from Monday, Dec. 5 through Tuesday, Jan. 10 in South Valley lobby.
Then, throughout the many churches around Moorestown, there are also a number of charitable opportunities. For instance, the Second Baptist Church, located at 319 Mill St., has a barrel inside to collect canned goods and other non-perishable items for the Moorestown Ministerium.
Our Lady of Good Counsel is additionally asking for Walmart gift cards, up to no more than $25, to send to the Catholic Mission in Monroe, N.C., run by the Missionaries of the Poor. It is also requesting new unwrapped toys for families in need, as well as socks, mittens and snuggie blankets as part of the Catholics Charities Emergency Services. Additionally, the aprish is asking Amazon shoppers use the OLGC assigned charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/21-0696627.
The Moorestown Friends Meeting, located at 118 E. Main St., is asking for gently-used toys and books, not gift wrapped, for kids and teens. These items can be donated on either Sunday, Dec. 18 or Sunday, Jan 8 at the donation drop-off at the church. Donation drop off and pick up will occur on those days only, in the morning. Please look for the designated plastic donation bin in the front hall. All items will be distributed to refugee children. Call (856) 235–1561 if you need more information.
The First United Methodist Church, located at 446 Camden Ave., is also taking part in a number of initiatives. The church will host its annual Angel Tree Project, for which it offers a large box to collect toys, games, books for specific age groups, wrapping supplies, paper, gift bags and bows. These donations will be given to the Neighborhood Center in Camden.
This church is also taking part in Light Harbor Christmas Stocking, the name given to a group of volunteers from the church who go to the Mt. Laurel Center for Rehab and Avista Health and provide church services and sing-a-longs once a month. Each December, a large stocking is hung in the First United Methodist Church’s foyer with a resident’s name and gift suggestions for those who have little or no family contact. Residents can write their names and phone numbers on the sign-up sheet next to the person he or she selects. The gifts are wrapped and taken to the residents for Christmas.
During the holiday season, this church also collects gloves, mittens, hats and scarves for its annual Hat and Mitten Tree, new and used coats and blankets to hand out to the homeless in Camden, toys for the Waymakers in Ghana and baby supplies for young mothers in need. It also offers the opportunity for residents to adopt-a-family for the holidays.
The First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Road, is also collecting new toys for places such as hospitals and homes. To donate toys, drop them off in the church’s commons.
To help show support for the United States Military Forces serving in the Middle East including Iraq, Afghanistan and those supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve, consider donating to Operation Yellow Ribbon. Through this initiative, community members can donate and send supplies and goodies to brave U.S. troops deployed in harm’s way.
“We are an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit where no one makes a dime. We give countless hours, time, energy and treasure each week trying to boost morale and bring smiles to those who deserve it the most and that is our U.S. service members deployed in harm’s way in the Middle East,” David Silver, one of the co-founders and president of the organization, said. “By donating, you will know every penny will be used wisely, and that’s for our care package expenses, and the funds stay local, helping a South Jersey organization.”
OYR requests and accepts items such as 5 Hour Energy Drink Products, Mio liquid water enhancer, Rice Crispy treats, bagged tuna and chicken, chewing gum/candy suckers, dry roasted peanuts or mixed nuts, potato chips in cylinder or can, dried fruit and more. Donations to OYR can be made here. To send a care package, visit the organization’s website.
If you know of additional charitable donation opportunities taking place over the next month, please comment with the necessary information.
