Students from a record-breaking 45 schools in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties spent the last few weeks of 2022 collecting more than 7,000 new, unwrapped toys in a friendly Stuff the Stocking competition to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive.

Each year, the winning school takes home the coveted Stuff the Stocking trophy, along with a monetary donation to their school’s activity fund. Second and third place winners also receive monetary donations for their schools. Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School, Sparta, was the victor in the 2022 contest, with more than 1,000 toys collected. Returning champion Pope John XXIII Middle School, Sparta, took second place, with North Warren Regional High School, Blairstown (pictured above), coming in third.

Additional honors went to Warren County schools including Brass Castle Elementary School in Washington Township, Allamuchy Township School; Knowlton Elementary School; and Warren Hills Regional High School, Washington.

PSS’s Season of Hope Toy Drive gathers new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for Sussex and Northern Warren County children and teens. In 2022, more than 2,200 children and teens received new gifts from the Season of Hope Toy Shop.

“The holidays can be a challenging time for many families in our area and the current economic situation has placed even more stress on many parents and caregivers,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “The overwhelming response by these students demonstrates to the families served by Season of Hope Toy Shop that the community cares about them. Having children select toys for other children is a special way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season. Whether a school gathered less than 50 toys or more than 500, we are grateful to each student and school which participated and helped to make the 2022 effort the most successful Stuff the Stocking contest to date.”

Additional schools which participated in the Stuff the Stocking contest included Blair Academy; Central Elementary School, Independence Township; , and Warren County Technical School, Franklin Township.

Information about the Season of Hope Toy Drive and the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency are available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org or by calling 973-940-3500.