Christmas Giving

From Oct. 23 through Nov. 6, HNOJ will be collecting items for Box of Joy (a Catholic gift giving ministry similar to the projects of previous years.) 

As you do your own shopping, please keep in mind the following items which would be welcome additions to the items we will use to pack shoeboxes at our Box of Joy Packing Party on Nov. 6:

• Basic school supplies (that will fit in a shoebox) such as pencils and sharpeners, crayons, erasers, pencil cases, rulers, notepads, stickers)
• Toys (small balls, mini puzzles, harmonicas, yo-yos, craft kits, dolls, deflated soccer balls with a small air pump, coloring books, jump ropes)
• Apparel (socks and underwear, shorts and t-shirts, flip-flops, hats)
• Accessories (watch, sunglasses, jewelry, hair accessories, cross or rosary)
• Useful Items (sewing kit, drawstring bag, toothbrushes/toothpaste, bar soap, comb/brush, manicure kit)

Boxes are available if you want to pack your own (drop it off by Nov. 6) and we are also accepting funds towards the shipping costs of the boxes ($9 per box).

Any items that are too large for the boxes will be donated to Santa’s Toy Box and Ascension School.

Please save the date for our Box of Joy packing party which will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 5-7 p.m. (with Fine Dining). For more information, please direct questions to Jennifer Wendt. Thank you for your generosity!

Giving to Ascension Catholic School

Ascension Catholic School is a place where students defy the odds. In the midst of poverty (86% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch), students are excelling academically, beyond state averages. In addition, 100% of Ascension students who recently finished eighth grade moved on to graduate high school. In place of our Ascension Gift Bag Program, this year we will collect items in bulk. You can donate basic items and toys for children at any grade level (K-8).

Examples of items include:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hats, mittens and gloves
• Crafts, playing cards and board games
• Sports balls, Frisbees, sidewalk chalk, outdoor games
• Handheld electric games (if it takes batteries, please include extra)
• Action figures, dolls (of color, please)
• Books (preferably books with characters of color) for all ages
• Grade-specific flash cards
• Gifts for students in Grades 6-8

Giving to Santa’s Toy Box

Santa's Toy Box serves children at Sharing and Caring Hands and Mary's Place. These children are homeless or in transition, and we can offer the comfort and care of Christmas through our contributions. The gifts you donate will make a big difference in the life of a child on Christmas morning!  New and unwrapped gifts are needed for children of all ages (including teens).

Examples of toys and activities you can donate include:

 -Basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, Frisbees
-Stuffed animals  
-Board games and puzzles
-Hand-held electronic games (with batteries 
  included) 
-Dolls and action figures (of color, please) 
-Markers, molding clay, crafts 
-Toys for ages two to three years
-Gifts for teens ages 13-16 
-Gift cards for Target or Walmart

PLEASE NOTE: Many of the children in need are older pre-teens and teens