Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset County United Way’s “Gifts of the Season” program, recognized its 20th anniversary of community generosity and the spirit of volunteerism this past December by providing gifts to local children, disabled adults and seniors facing financial hardships. More than 9,300 gifts, provided by caring individuals in local companies, civic groups and the community, were distributed to 4,400 families in SomersetCounty this year. In addition, another 11,974 generic gifts including new books, slippers, energy saving light bulbs and puzzles were donated and distributed to the families.
“Through the generosity of the community we were able to once again provide every child and every senior in the program with at least one gift,” said Irene Natale, Manager of Volunteer Services, who directs the program at Somerset County United Way. “The overwhelming response to this program makes it clear that people do care for their neighbors in need.”
Participants in the “Gifts of the Season” program receive gift tags from United Way with information about a person in need and their wish list. They may choose the item(s) they would like to purchase and donate. The unwrapped gifts are then delivered to a central location in SomersetCounty in early December. More than 90 local organizations, including corporations and civic groups, participated in the drive, along with many families and individuals.
One recipient of gifts expressed, “Thank you. Since we are not working, the gifts were a blessing for my family.” Another recipient said, “I received something to keep me warm over the winter that I would not have been able to buy.”
“The heart and soul of this program are the hundreds of volunteers who give thousands of hours of valuable time to help make the holiday season better for others in the community,” said Lisa Galonardo, Assistant Vice President of Volunteer Services at Somerset County United Way. “It is truly a labor of love and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the program a success.”
This year the program ran from December 10th – 19th. During this time over 550 volunteers donated a total of 2,310 hours sorting, organizing and packaging the gifts for distribution at a warehouse in Bound Brook.
About SomersetCounty United Way
An independent nonprofit organization, Somerset County United Way helps people who live and work in SomersetCounty through its vision that all residents possess a living income that will be attained through achieving financial stability, healthy lifestyles, and life readiness. United Way’s mission is to lead a caring community to create solutions that transform people’s lives. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. To learn more about how you can LIVE UNITED, contact Somerset County United Way at (908) 725 – 6640 or visit www.scuw.org.
Photo Caption: (Left to Right) Deb DeMarco, Glenn Buono, Sherie Baita and Kristina Fessel of Metlife in Bridgewater drop off collected donations for United Way’s Gifts of the Season program at a warehouse in Bound Brook. Metlife employees from both their Bridgewater and Somerset locations collected gifts for over 400 children, adults and seniors. Along with approximately 30 other nonprofit agencies, the “Gifts of the Season” program helps disadvantaged families, children, disabled adults and seniors in SomersetCounty by providing gifts, warm coats, winter apparel and food. An independent nonprofit organization, Somerset County United Way helps people who live and work in SomersetCounty through its vision that all residents possess a living income that will be attained through achieving financial stability, healthy lifestyles, and life readiness. United Way’s mission is to lead a caring community to create solutions that transform people’s lives. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. To learn more about how you can LIVE UNITED, contact Somerset County United Way at (908) 725 – 6640 or visit www.scuw.org.