North Warren Regional High School was among the schools that collected the most new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive in late 2020.

Despite the ongoing public health crisis, students from more than 25 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties collected thousands of toys and gift cards in a friendly Stuff the Stocking competition to benefit the toy drive. 

During previous years, winning schools would take home the coveted Stuff the Stocking trophy, along with a monetary donation to the top three schools’ activity funds. With the coronavirus upending school schedules and forcing most institutions to conduct learning remotely, donating to the Stuff the Stocking contest became more challenging for many students. In response, Project Self-Sufficiency created new competition categories to reflect the altered learning landscape:  In-Person Schools, Remote Schools and Elementary Schools.

North Warren Regional and Lenape Valley Regional shared first place in the remote school category, Pope John Middle School and Reverend Brown Elementary School tied for in-person schools, and Fredon Elementary (Newton) and Lounsberry Hollow (Vernon Twp) tied for first place in the elementary school division.

“Even during normal circumstances, the holidays can be a difficult time for many families in our area,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “The overwhelming response by these students in the face of a global pandemic and the added challenges of remote school instruction demonstrates to the families served by Season of Hope Toy Shop that the community genuinely cares about them.  Having children select toys for other children is a special way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season.  We are exceptionally grateful to these students, their families, and the schools for supporting this effort.”

The Season of Hope Toy Drive is a joint initiative coordinated by Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton sand its community partners.  New, unwrapped toys and gift cards are provided to children in need from Sussex County and Northern Warren County.  In 2020, more than 2,000 children and teens received new gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop. 

Information about the Season of Hope Toy Drive and the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency are available at projectselfsufficiency.org.