Archdiocese distributes thousands of free toys to record number of families for Christmas
The Mercy House, a resource and referral center overseen by the Archdiocese of Newark, distributed thousands of new and unwrapped toys to a record 620 families in need during its largest-ever Christmas Giveaway — the first to take place at its new locations in Elizabeth and Jersey City in addition to its original Newark base.
Mercy House staff and volunteers handed out over 2,000 balls, dolls, and other fun items to 185 families in Jersey City on December 18, 270 families in Newark on December 19, and 165 families in Elizabeth on December 20. In addition to toys, parents were given bags of candy to fill their children’s stockings. And the mothers on line received gifts, too — specifically large sacks filled with toiletries to ensure they will not have to think about buying essentials for themselves during the holiday season.
“Christmas is a season of giving, and that’s what this event is all about,” said Cheryl A. Riley, director of The Mercy House, who added that toys were also sent to the Newark Police Department, the Gramon Family of Schools in Fairfield, and the Emmanuel Church of Christ in Newark. “Many parents have added stress and financial pressure over the holidays, so we’re providing them with everything they need to make sure their children get a visit from Santa. What better way is there to celebrate Jesus’ birth than by helping people like he did?”
This year’s Christmas Giveaway was made possible through an extraordinary amount of donations from numerous archdiocesan parishes, schools, and individual donors. That includes hundreds of contributions from St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City and St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, which also sent large groups of students to hand out toys in Jersey City and Newark, respectively. Many organizations outside the Archdiocese supported the giveaway, as well. Among them were the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford, which donated more than 500 gifts.
The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing to anyone in need. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation — financial contributions are especially appreciated — contact Cheryl A. Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org. For more information, visit www.rcan.org/respect-life/mercy-house.
Featured image: A student from Montvale’s St. Joseph Regional High School hands a bag of gifts to a community member during the Archdiocese of Newark’s annual Christmas Giveaway at The Mercy House in Newark on December 19, 2023. (Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn)
