FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE
Newark, NJ – On Dec. 11, 2011 from 12pm-4pm at the JFK Recreation Center at 211 West Kinney Street, Newark, N.J., Newark Now and the Bass Foundation continue the “Brighter Holidays” tradition of distributing thousands of new toys, over 2,300 kids coats, and clothing for children ages 18 mos. to 14 years.
This year, Terrence Williams of the NJ Nets will be in attendance to greet the families. “We have worked tirelessly since taking office to bring together private and public partners to help empower Newark’s residents with the tools they need to raise healthy and strong families. This event manifests our commitment and support of our residents who are most vulnerable and in need of support. We will share in the warmth of this special holiday season, while helping to build a stronger, prouder, and better Newark,” Mayor Cory A. Booker said.
In 2003; Newark Now created Brighter Holidays to ensure that the holiday spirit is widely shared throughout the City of Newark. To learn more about Brighter Holidays and ways to donate to the campaign, call 973-733-3460 or visit http://newarknow.org/brighter_holidays.html
Dec. 11 Community Toy and Coat Give-Away Details:
Who: Newark Now and the Bass Foundation Present “Brighter Holidays” Community Toy and Coat Give-Away; NJ Nets Terrence Williams will be in attendance at 3pm.
When: Saturday, December 11, 2010, 12pm – 4pm
Where: John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, 211 West Kinney Street, Newark, N.J., 07102. The entrance to the center is on Howard Street
To pre-register for the give-away on Dec. 11, Newark residency is required. To pre-register, call:
• Family Success Center at Georgia King, 250 West Market, 973-621-2241
• Family Success Center at Bradley Court, 48 Munn Ave, 973-991-1290
• Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), 103 Bloomfield Ave, 973-624-3733
Through pre-registration for Brighter Holidays events, families are exposed to how easy it is to access resources at Newark Now's Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) and Family Success Centers. The FEC and Family Success Centers are one-stop centers that offer screening and enrollment for food charge cards and vouchers, free or discounted prescription medicine, child care assistances, tax credits, health care, family counseling, as well as free tax preparation that can help families obtain the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Brighter Holidays 2010 Sponsors
For the Brighter Holidays initiative, Newark Now has partnered with dozens of community organizations, companies and Mayor Cory A. Booker and his Administration. This year, the Bass Foundation has generously provided the majority of toys. Burlington Coat Factory has partnered with Newark Now’s Brighter Holidays Campaign for a second consecutive year by donating over 2,300 new kids coats for those participating children. In addition, Newark Now’s Brighter Holidays sponsors include: The Lefkowitz Family Foundation, The Prudential Foundation, The Gerson Family Foundation, S&C Kushner Family Foundation, The Eisenstein Family Foundation, One Real Estate Development, The New Jersey Nets, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Sims Metal Management, McKinsey and Company, NJ Nets Player Terrence Williams, The Rieder Family Foundation, Edison Properties Charitable Trust of Newark, Cardolite Corporation, The Kaplan Family Foundation, Lemcor, Standard Chartered, Brick City Coffee Company, and The Reuter and Ambler Family Foundation. McDonald’s of Newark will be supplying children with snacks as they arrive to the December 11th toy, warm coat, and warm clothing give-away. Several Newark based companies hosted toy, warm coat, and/or food drives for the Brighter Holidays Campaign as well (Advance Realty Foundation, The Prudential Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The NJ Nets, Seton Hall University Athletics, Gibbons P.C., Standard Chartered, and Audible.com).
This year, Newark Now has partnered with College Hunks Hauling Junk to offer an additional way to donate to Brighter Holidays. Newark Now Brighter Holidays will receive 20% of your junk removal bill when you call 1-800-Junk-USA or go to http://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/ and mention Newark Now's code MBA 1805.
About Newark Now Brighter Holidays
Since the holiday season of 2003, Newark Now's Brighter Holidays has reached thousands of challenged families in Newark every year and provided them with food, toys, clothing, free benefits screening and enrollment for important social services. For more information about Brighter Holidays call 973-733-3460 or visit http://newarknow.org/brighter_holidays.html
About Newark Now
Newark Now is an intermediary organization committed to increasing the quality of life for Newarkers. Newark Now was founded in 2003 by Cory Booker to provide Newark residents with skills, tools, and support to transform their neighborhoods. Newark Now helps Newarkers become aware of useful resources and services, helps connect them to those resources and services, helps government and non-governmental entities improve collaboration and coordination in the delivery of their services, and helps grassroots organizations build their capacity to lead community improvement efforts. For more information about Newark Now please call 973-733-3460 or visit www.newarknow.org .
For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us
