Local support for the Toys for Tots Campaign includes community organizations, schools, and police working together in the spirit of giving. Officers Adam Feichter and Kirk Griffin of the Washington Township Police Department ran the Long Valley campaign, collecting for the Marines.

"We have a collection at our department," said Feichter. "Our Long Valley Middle School runs a contest. Whatever class collects the most toys gets a prize. We get close to a third of our toys from them. The sixth grade alone collected about a thousand toys this year. There was a collection box at Mansfield Walmart. Our biggest drop is at police headquarters on Schooleys Mountain. About 60 to 70% of our toys come in there."

Heath Village of Washington Township places collection boxes throughout their facility, so that residents and employees may donate toys. This year, Heath Village collected $350 worth of toys which were given to the Washington Township Police for Toys for Tots, and another $350 of toys which were given to the Hackettstown Police Department for distribution to area children whose families were not fortunate enough to provide them with presents this year. In addition, Heath Village was able to make a $250 contribution to the Norwescap Food Bank through WRNJ. Some of this money was from anonymous donations. Barbara Knarr, coordinator of the drive, said, "People were still asking to contribute after the deadline, so we accepted cash donations for Norwescap."

The Salvation Army runs a similar toy drive. Parents are offered the opportunity to register for the Angel Tree program. Families are screened to determine their need. "Last year we distributed over 10,000 pieces, toys and clothing, for the kids," recalls Major Walter Droz, commanding officer of the Morristown office.

Johanna Ramirez, social worker and co-coordinator of the program at the Dover site, explains how letters are sent to businesses asking them to participate. "If they want to participate," says Ramirez, "they let us know how many tags they’d like. Once we receive that information, we send the tags. This year we sent a banner to display. They can also get blank tags for someone to buy a toy of their choice."

Last year, the Dover Salvation Army helped about 1,950 needy children. This year, about 20 businesses participated. That included the Mount Olive A&P. Store manager Mike Corrigan has been watching his storage area "fill to the brim" with donations.

"Customers can choose a card from the tree and give the children something they really want. It’s actually a very good program," says Corrigan.

Parents are given the chance to write down items their children really want. Sometimes, however, families are in need of more than just presents. When a family is faced with shut-off notices or has difficulties affording rent, the Salvation Army maintains a year-round fund that can help. This fund is directly related to the generosity of those who donate to the kettles that are so prominent at this time of year.

Whether it is gifts or emergency financial assistance, Ramirez knows what it means to those that are in need. "People have cried here. They open their mouths. They’re so surprised and happy."

Other toy collections are held for DYFS. St. Mark’s Church on Schooleys Mountain puts up a giving tree named "Kristin’s Tree". The tree is named for Kristin Zuerblis. Sue Reilly, director of religious education at the church recalls, "She was one of our confirmation candidates. She worked on what was then known as the Giving Tree and did a wonderful job. She was 15 when she passed away and we renamed the tree."

The church gets 150 names from DYFS, and the gifts go to foster children in the area. Like the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, DYFS provides the children’s wish lists, and participants are asked to donate what they can. The peer ministry group, which includes Kristin’s brother, helps run the program. "It’s really kids helping kids," Reilly notes. "We always have an amazing response from the parish."

Hackettstown Regional Medical Center also collects toys for DYFS. This year over 100 tags were posted for employees, volunteers, and visitors to choose from. By the deadline, not one tag remained. Susan Frost, the hospital’s Manager of Marketing and Public Relations, said that toys are also collected for SASA Shaw, which is the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Warren County. This year, 38 of Warren County’s displaced children will receive gifts donated by hospital staff. In addition, the hospital displays paper angels for every employee who makes a donation to the United Way of Warren County. Karen Kamenetsky, the United Way Employee Coordinator for the hospital said she is "always impressed with the generosity of the people who work in this hospital. We exceeded our goal this year." A donation is also made to the Warren County Public Health Nursing Agency.

"Our hospital employees are always very generous throughout the year, but particularly at this time of year," says Susan Frost, manager of Marketing and Public Relations.

By the week just before Christmas, toy and clothing donations have already been collected throughout the area. "The military gives us a deadline," explains Officer Feichter. "They need time to categorize everything according to age; if it’s for a boy or a girl." As each holiday season approaches, community members can always find a variety of ways in which to show they care. Giving trees and Salvation Army kettles are easy to spot. In addition, Feichter suggest that people know "they can always call our dispatcher to get information. Collections begin just after Thanksgiving each year and run until about a week and a half before Christmas. "

This is generally the case for any of the holiday campaigns each year. Whether choosing to donate through a giving tree program or Toys for Tots, one rule applies. Donations should be unwrapped. No matter where people choose to show their generosity, one thing is certain. The joy that comes from giving is priceless.