It is because of Jean Gianacaci's aunts that supporting kids in need during the holiday season is a big deal at CHFK. With the help of many community partners, they collect toys, hats, gloves and books to distribute to kids in the local community who will not receive much this holiday season. And then CHFK volunteers put in many hours packing hundreds of treat bags and stockings.
Christine's Hope for Kids (CHFK) founder Jean Gianacaci remembers growing up and listening to her aunts, who would be well over 100 years old today, say during the holidays, "Gee, when we were kids, all we got was an orange, a couple of walnuts and a candy cane," and all the kids would laugh.
Every Christmas, they would wonder which old aunt would bring it up first.
Gianacaci realizes now that they just wanted the kids to know how fortunate they were to get more than just oranges and walnuts for Christmas.
Today, CHFK serves children in the area who need it most. CHFK believes it is the little things that can and do make the biggest difference in the life of a child -- like a Christmas stocking.
It is because of Jean Gianacaci's aunts that supporting kids in need during the holiday season is a big deal at CHFK. With the help of many community partners, they collect toys, hats, gloves and books to distribute to kids in the local community who will not receive much this holiday season. And then CHFK volunteers put in many hours packing hundreds of treat bags and stockings.
As Gianacaci holds up each stocking, she thinks about her aunts and realizes that perhaps this one stocking is the only thing this child will get this Christmas. So, she makes it special. CHFK takes great care in all the items they package, often including a warm note of encouragement.
"It is so hard to believe, after all these years, there are still kids that only get a stocking or a hat and pair of gloves for Christmas," said Gianacaci. "But that is the reality, not so far from the oranges and walnuts from years ago. It is sad to think these kids will grow up and say to their nieces and nephews, 'Gee, all we got was a stocking for Christmas.'"
So, while many children get so much -- Xboxes, bikes, phones, computers, skis -- there are some kids who may only get this one toy.
Is there something you can do to help? Christine's Hope for Kids is counting on your donations to give more kids in our community the chance to just be kids.
Your donation to the 2015 Times Holiday Appeal will help Christine's Hope for Kids continue its mission to help kids in need in our community.
The Rose and Louis H. Linowitz Charitable Foundation has pledged to match the next $5,000 raised from contributors, challenging the community to be generous this holiday season. NJM Insurance Group of West Trenton has also pledged to donate $1,000 for every $5,000 contributed by the community and other business donors throughout the 2015 campaign.
To make a donation to support Christine's Hope for Kids, make your check payable to The Times Holiday Appeal and mail to Times Charities, Inc., 413 River View Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611.
All gifts will be acknowledged in The Times. Anonymity will be granted, if requested.
For more about Christine's Hope for Kids, go to www.christineshope.org.
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