What is the Holiday Project?
JBWS' Holiday Project provides comprehensive support to people experiencing domestic violence throughout the holiday season. We host a children's Halloween party in October, a Thanksgiving distribution in November, and several festive programs in December. Our Holiday Boutique and Adopt-A-Family program alone serves over 650 people impacted by domestic violence.
Thanksgiving Project
JBWS' Thanksgiving Project acknowledges that the holidays might look different for families impacted by domestic violence. In an attempt to restore some sense of normalcy for clients, JBWS distributes everything necessary for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. This includes fresh produce, non-perishable items, pies, and a choice of ham, pork shoulder, turkey, or a vegetarian option to help clients celebrate the holiday with foods representative of their culture.
Thank you to our numerous community volunteers who made the 2023 Thanksgiving Project a success including: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, for helping us prepare for our Thanksgiving Project distribution, Dartcor Food Services for making Thanksgiving meals for our residential clients, as well as Interfaith Food Pantry, individual donors, and groups who all made this project possible!
Holiday Boutique
Far too often, people impacted by domestic violence have experienced financial abuse in their relationship. They may have been forbidden to work, harassed at their place of employment, forbidden from advancing their career, or have had their abusive partner controlling their finances. This can make the holidays particularly difficult for families impacted by domestic violence because they may not have the funds necessary to purchase presents.
JBWS’ Holiday Boutique removes some of this financial hardship by enabling clients to get presents entirely free of charge. Upon entering the boutique, each client is encouraged to take numerous gifts for each of their children and themselves. Some of the possible options for presents include: educational games, home decor, sports equipment, clothing, jewelry, stuffed animals, cologne, puzzles, dolls, building blocks, self-care items, electronics, make up, and books for all ages.
Adopt-A-Family
JBWS’ Adopt-A-Family program allows members of our community to shop for all our client’s needs this holiday season. From cookware items and bedding sets to bicycles and video games, JBWS’ Adopt-A-Family program ensures that our clients have everything they need for a peaceful holiday season.
In the words of a former client, “Christmas morning was full of excitement. The shelter family gathered to open presents. Santa had paid a surprise visit. The sounds of laughter were everywhere as children showed off their new toys and sported new clothes. The holiday spirit shone on my home. There would be peace on this day.”
By The Numbers
JBWS’ Holiday Project served more clients than ever before in 2023! During November, JBWS was able to provide Thanksgiving assistance to 179 non-residential families and 66 residential clients received Thanksgiving meals just before Thanksgiving Day.
Our Adopt-A-Family program benefited 247 clients this year, up from 198 in 2022, while our Holiday Boutique supported 655 clients, up from 559 in 2022. We also provided over $24,500 in gift cards to clients throughout the Holiday Project.
The extensive support provided through the Holiday Project would not be possible without the 930 service hours provided by more than 130 volunteers, the 39 staff that worked on the Holiday Project, and 85 donors that supported both the Holiday Boutique and Adopt-A-Family program.
Thank You to Our 2023 Supporters!
Mitena Prentoska, Actalent
Nancy McLindon, Angel’s Wings Foundation
Christine Ferguson, Atlantic Health - Chilton Medical Center
Diana LaFiura, Barre 3
Rosanna Oliviero, Becton Dickinson
Boonton Women’s Club
Susan Hansen Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP
Lexi Beard Crestbridge
Mary Beth Donoghue, Day Pitney
David Graber, Dr. Graber Chiropractic Center
Paul Lewandowski, Dr. Lewandowski Chiropractic
Alisa Ferguson Ferguson Consulting Group & Friends International
Sophie Ferronato, Fortnightly Club of Summit
Kathleen Matrale, Green Village Volunteer Fire Dept Auxiliary
Ashley Bellucci, Guest Worldwide
Diane/Missy Cellar Hillsdale Park Presbyterian Church
Cathy Thompson, HNTB Corporation
Sammy Mendez, Ivy Rehab Center
Kathy McNall, Joyful Noise Daycare
Rebecca Zajos, Kessler Rehab
Monique Loh Kienlen Lattmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Kindness for Christopher
Josh O'Neill, Knights of Columbus Council 359 - Morristown
Kay Lang, Land's End
Erin Colquhoun Lee and Associates
Trish Russo, Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church School
Christine Zelinsky, Mary Kay
Janette DeSousa, McKesson
Deb Smith, Morris County Republican Club
Casey Slinger, Morris County Sheriff's Department
Morris County Superintendents
Joan Marie Goddard, Morris Plains Farmers Market
Jim Harrington, Morris Spine & Sport
Jamie Rough, Morristown Girl Scouts
Christine Heinicke, Morristown High School Needle Arts Club
John Nancey, Mt. Tabor Methodist Church
Kim and Chip Sgro, Nana's Gifts
Notre Dame of Mount Carmel
Tammy Baird, Park Avenue Club
Elizabeth Mejia, Parsippany Hills High School Student Council
Parsippany Police Dept & UPS
Shital Shanbhag Pharmacosmos Therapeutics
Anne Fields, Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township
Carol Gilbert, Presbyterian Church of Morristown
Joan Marie Goddard, Provident Bank
Lisa Holloway, Randolph High School
Anne Shulman, Riker Danzig LLP
Roxbury Social Services
Nicole Giglia, Seton Hall University
Ingrid Davidson, Sherman Atlas
Sr. Mary Ann Tracey, Sisters of Charity
Sons of Italy
Laura Nelson, St. Ann's Church
Jane Flynn, St. Virgil Rosary Society
Karen Rossilli-Kiefer, TeamPar & Selfless Elves
Debbie McCollough, Teva
Amy Villegas, The Hartford
Maribel Mohr, The Peck School
Adele DiBari, The Rippel Foundation
Sue Mistretta, Troopers United Foundation
Judi Ricucci, Unico
Janet Ryans, United Methodist Church – Mt. Tabor
Susan Perkins, Weichert Realtors of Chatham
Brigitte Winans, Weichert Realtors of Mt. Lakes
Karen DeChristopher, Women's Club of Parsippany & First Presbyterian of Rockaway
Katerina Lipat, Zimmer Biomet
Lisa Favata
Kathy Fehon
Dawn Gabriel
Kelley Kurtzman
Helen & Greg Le Frois
Judy Pescatore
Stacey Seligson
Amy Wiwi & Family
Melissa Flynn
Deanna Furino
Robin Giamarino
Liz Harper Operation Holiday
Cindy Homer Hearts of Watchung
Eileen Jankunis
Rita Karachun
Amy/Nicole Klug
Susan Kovaks
Kimberly/Jeff Lavecchia, BASF
Jenny Mayfield
Chelsea Nolan, MP Moms Connection
Tazha Perez, UBS
Megan Ramirez Bueso Blake Center
Pat and Randy Rossilli
Christine Symecko, Junior League of Morristown
Jennifer Tritto, Atlantic Health
Amy Villegas, Hartford Financial
Denise Wenoggle, Rotary Club of Morristown
Laura and Vanessa Randolph Mommy and Me
Erin Amaty, Wyndham Hotles & Resorts
Noel Briordy, Crum & Forster
Michelle Fabian, Deloitte
Christina Le, PwC Women in Leadership ERG
Jamie Molchan, Ernst & Young
Interfaith Food Pantry
Ann O’Keefe, O’Keefe Family
Kelly Paone, Verizon