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No. 2 Vol. 12
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By Cheryl Conway or the month of November, students at St. Therese School in Succasunna donated pajamas to support the Kindness for Christopher Campaign. Second grade teacher Kristen Taylor spearheaded the pajama drive with her class opening the campaign to the entire school. Out of the 150 families, 120 pairs of pajamas were donated. As a teacher at the school for the past 12 years, Taylor says for the past five years she has participated in the Scholastic Books Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive, with pajamas going to those in need; this year, after following the Kindness For Christopher Campaign on Facebook, she decided on a more local drive. “I saw on Facebook they were holding this drive,” says Taylor. “We usually do it through Scholastic Drive but we thought since this
www.theroxburynews.com
December 2016
Local Students Donate Pajamas In Kindness Campaign
was local we would do this for Kindness For Christopher. That it would have more meaning. This year, [I] decided to donate to an organization close to home; felt this was a perfect opportunity to bring some service into the school.” Kindness For Christopher is a campaign that was started by the family of Christopher D’Amico, a 10 year old boy who died from a tragic boating accident on June 24, 2015. They started the movement “In an effort to keep his memory alive, help us heal and remind the world the amazing human being we lost,” as they state on the Facebook page. The family launched the Kindness For Christopher campaign to promote random acts of kindness, an effort that spread internationally. The family initiated the second annual Kindness For Christopher Pajama Drive, “In honor/memory of our pajama wearing son,
Christopher, donations will be delivered to hospitals, shelters, nursing homes and orphanages,” the family states on the website. “Keeping people warm and snuggly- wrapping them in a hug!” The drive was held Sept. 24 through Nov. 24. For the school drive, Taylor requested pajamas from infant to young adults. “My goal was to get 90 pair,” says Taylor. “This continued on page 2
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Kristen Taylor, with her second grade class and Principal Timothy Dunnigan.
Toy/Clothing Drive Deadline Dec. 20th
ew View Media Group is holding its annual clothing and toy drive. The company is looking for people to donate new unwrapped toys, as well as new clothing including t-shirts, socks, pants, and winter necessities such as hats, coats, gloves, and scarves (sizes ranging from newborn to 14 year olds). Gift cards will also be accepted. Please drop off all donations to the following locations by Dec. 20…. • New View Media Group, 1 Old Wolfe Road, Budd Lake, NJ (in back). • Weis Supermarkets, Rt. 206, Flanders (drop off at the courtesy counter) • Budd Lake Bagels -141 Route 46, Budd Lake • Mt. Olive Bagels - 135 Route 46 East, Paramount Plaza,
Budd Lake • Fanucci’s - 134 Ledgewood Ave. (Rt. 46 E.), Netcong • Red Dot Firearms – 22 Main Street, Stanhope • Charmoy Dental, 924 Route 10 West, Randolph • Philly Pretzel - 150 Mountain Ave, Hackettstown ( 3 FREE Pretzels when you drop off) • HomeTown Hardware - 234 Main Street, Hackettstown • Fresco Mexican – 137 E. Main Street, Chester For additional information regarding this toy drive or to ask for a list of businesses involved, call Mary on her cell phone at (973)-768-1815 or email at mary.lamala@ gmail.com. She will be able to help with any of your needs as well as comply a list of children and gifts they want for the holiday. Thank you in advance.