Project Self-Sufficiency seeks donations, gift cards for seniors through ‘Earth Angels’ initiative
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Project Self-Sufficiency is seeking monetary donations and gift cards to local stores for distribution to senior citizens as part of the agency’s Earth Angels initiative.
In mid-December, students in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school diploma program at Project Self-Sufficiency will assemble festive bags with the cards and gifts. Volunteers and Project Self-Sufficiency staff will deliver the items to seniors during the week leading up to Christmas.
Along with cash contributions, the agency is requesting gift cards from local retailers including Kohl’s, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Walmart and Weis. Note cards, postage stamps, pet food, coffee, tea, candy and packaged cookies are also welcome.
Newton attorney Elenora L. Benz, Esquire, originated the Earth Angels program in 1999 by enlisting the support of her staff member Mary Jones, along with clients, business colleagues and community volunteers. Project Self-Sufficiency assumed the program in 2017. While many Earth Angels recipients reside in Newton’s Liberty Towers and Frankford’s Homestead, senior citizens in other parts of the county have been added each year as the program expanded.
“The Earth Angels program invites all of us to demonstrate compassion for those in our community who may feel overlooked or forgotten during the busy rush of the holiday season,” comments Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Our vulnerable seniors need our support, and we are extremely gratified by the outpouring of concern shown by those who donate to this valuable service year after year.”
“This year we expect to bring holiday cheer to more than 100 senior citizens in our area,” remarked Earth Angels Project Coordinator Alice Prendergast. “This program also gives us the opportunity to meet with our older neighbors, find out what they need, and introduce them to the services we offer throughout the year.”
Monetary donations can be made online at projectselfsufficiency.org or by check payable to “Project Self-Sufficiency” with “Earth Angels” in the memo line. Checks and gift cards may be dropped off Monday through Friday at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton, through Nov. 21. To register to receive gifts from the Earth Angels program or for more information, call 973-940-3500 and ask for Alice Prendergast.
