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Pandemic, supply chain issues couldn't stop Prison Ministry's toy drive

Grace, Nutley was the drop-off location for the more than 1000 toys collected by the Prison Ministry.
Grace, Nutley was the drop-off location for the more than 1000 toys collected by the Prison Ministry.

Faith. Hope. Peace. Joy. The four themes of Advent that Christians are called to express in their daily lives. Parish families, from the Dioceses of Newark and New Jersey, did exactly that this Advent by collecting holiday gifts and toys for the annual Diocese of Newark Prison Ministry’s holiday toy drive.

Even before the Thanksgiving turkey makes it to the oven, Prison Ministry sends out their annual appeal to both dioceses seeking gifts and toys for distribution. Supply chain issues and even rising prices didn’t lessen the generosity or the joy conveyed by people calling Grace Church, Nutley (the home base for Prison Ministry) to drop off sometimes one or two toys, and sometimes carloads of toys.

Over 1000 toys, for children ages birth to teens, were delivered to children whose families are caught up in the criminal justice system. Recipients included Prison Ministry’s PATCH Program (a mentoring program for children with an incarcerated parent), the Essex County Jail, families from Hudson County Correctional Facility, Apostles’ House, New Jersey Re-entry Corporation (former Gov. McGreevey’s organization) and local ministers whose congregational members include families experiencing incarceration.

The Prison Ministry is deeply grateful to the churches, donors, and to all the volunteers who made this important ministry possible including our Chair, Ms. Brenda Beavers Simpson (Trinity & St. Phillip’s Cathedral), the Rev. Pamela Bakal (Rector, Grace Church, Nutley), and the Rev. Audrey Hasselbrook and members of St. James, Upper Montclair who assisted in gathering and delivering toys.

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