NJCDC Brings Holiday Joy to Over 1,600 Paterson Kids

December 27, 2024

View our photos from the NJCDC Annual Holiday Party 2024

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many, especially for families in Paterson who are already working hard to provide basic necessities for their children. But at NJCDC, we’re dedicated to making sure every child can experience the magic of the season. Through our annual Holiday Toy Drive & Party, we bring joy, hope, and cherished memories to hundreds of local families, making the holidays a little brighter for everyone.

This year marked a special milestone — our 30th Anniversary and our 31st Annual Holiday Toy Drive & Party! Thanks to our incredible donors, AmeriCorps members, staff, and volunteers, we distributed more than 7,200 toys to over 600 families, including more than 1,600 Paterson children.

Thank you to our Toy Drive donors!

Our AmeriCorps members began organizing the Toy Drive in the early fall, collecting and sorting donations from generous supporters throughout the region. Their efforts culminated on the morning of December 24th — Christmas Eve Day — with a spectacular celebration at the Community Charter School of Paterson’s middle school gymnasium. The event was generously underwritten by the Daleo Family, who have been longstanding champions of this initiative, which is also our longest-standing tradition.

Of course, the Holiday Party was filled with festive cheer! Families had the chance to take photos with Santa Claus— none other than “Mayor Claus,” Paterson’s own Mayor Andre Sayegh. Guests also enjoyed bounce houses, danced to holiday music, participated in arts and crafts, and won raffle prizes.

This cherished event wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of NJCDC’s staff, AmeriCorps members, and volunteers, including Board members Martin Vergara, Don Buckley, Rob Garrison, and Bill Pascrell III, who all pitched in to spread the holiday spirit. We couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our donors, including TD Bank, Pascack Hills High School’s Project Paterson Club, the Cranford Jaycees, Nana’s Gift, Windels Marx, Jet Aviation, and so many others.

NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci expressed his gratitude, saying, “For 31 years, this event has served as a beacon of joy and hope for Paterson children and families. It exemplifies the incredible strength of community, the unfailing generosity of our supporters, and the timeless magic of the holidays. And we’re already planning to make next year’s celebration even more incredible!”

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made this year’s Toy Drive & Party a success. Together, we ensured that every child left with not just gifts, but the joy and warmth of the holiday season. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue this tradition and look forward to bringing holiday magic to Paterson families for years to come. Happy Holidays from all of us at NJCDC!