I am sitting in the office on a Sunday afternoon. It is very quiet; leaving time to really think before we get into the organized chaos we know as The Holiday Giving JOY Program here at Norwescap.
I am quickly becoming surrounded by amazing donated presents to the point of no room for movement. I just did a pick up from Claudia at the Owls Nest Day Care Center in Blairstown. It is her first year in business and her teachers, staff, and parents were so generous providing multiple gifts for each child on their list. She sent me on my way with, “don’t forget about us for next year!!”
Alison Stem and the Shammy Shine Family came to the office asking me how many families had yet to be adopted. When I told her we had 38 families still on our list, without hesitation she said, “give them to me” and then proceeded to go to Target and shop for 2 days for these 38 families. What an amazing commitment!
Tom at THS in Flemington is one of the most generous human beings I have ever encountered and he claims to owe it to the sign over his desk, “To whomever, much is given, from him much will be required.” That quote sums up Tom’s personal philosophy as his staff gives to Norwescap’s Holiday Joy program every year, and personally delivers presents to our families.
AM Best takes 20 families and does it big, big, big…. every year. IQPC Manhattan office- a group of young professionals for philanthropy is on board this year giving to the hometown families as they keep in touch with their roots.
Our work can be challenging, our hours long, somedays it might seem like the challenge we face are insurmountable — but when you can imagine a child on Christmas morning without any gifts you know you are living in a world you don’t want to be a part of — so this is the why, and this is where, that expression, “give until it hurts” comes from. One child, one family, one community — we’re waiting for that child to smile, for the happiness, we know in our hearts to belong to all children. THAT is The Holiday Giving JOY Program here at Norwescap.
Marybeth Ringo
Director- Norwescap Traditions Family Success Center
This Year’s Current Donors;
Kohl’s Giving IQPC Global/Manhattan Office
THS (Tournament Housing Services) Mars Commercial
Project Impact/PHS School District Mars Retail
Alison Stem/Stem Family Shammy Shine St. Luke’s Warren Campus
Mahy Churylo, every year I’ve know her WCCC Nursing Program
IRCO Federal Credit Union Owls Nest Day Care
Starbucks Sts. Phillips & James School
The Town of Phillipsburg Enterprise/donation of van
JCPL Washington AM Best
Hope Market & Deli Phillipsburg ECLC
The Alpha Library Keller Williams Clinton
Weichert Phillipsburg Simply Grace Church, Bloomsbury
The Rotary Sarah Curran
Norwescap Administration Helene Meissner and Friends!
Maritza Baakman Jennifer Gara, Construction Specialties
Susan, Rutgers Jennifer Paulus
Tammy, CFRS Norwescap Dottie Cusack, Church of the Assumption
St. Phiilip and St. James Church First Energy