Family First Client Events
Children’s Winter Coat Drive:
Date: August through mid-November
Location: ACSNJ Main Office and various collection locations.
The Children’s Coat Drive provides gently used winter coats to children under age 18 who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Client need and eligibility is determined by each client’s Medical Case Manager. This event takes place throughout the late Summer and Fall and ends by mid-November. Coat donation collections are matched to clients based on size requests. Volunteer opportunities are available for this event.
ACSNJ also works with Operation Warm to purchase new coats for $15 each for clients. Operation Warm coats allow the agency to purchase coats in hard to find sizes. Community members are encouraged to donate gently used coats or monetary donations to contribute towards the Operation Warm purchase.
Children’s Backpack Drive:
Date: July through the first week of September
Location: ACSNJ Main Office and various collection locations.
The Children’s Backpack Drive is provides children affected by HIV/AIDS with a new, age-appropriate backpack full of school supplies at the start of the school year each September. The backpack drive is for children from pre-school to high school age. Individuals over age 18 who attend higher education classes (such as college or technical school) may also be eligible depending on the financial situation of the client. Backpacks for adults are reviewed on a case-by-case basis with the client’s Medical Case Manager. Community members and groups are encouraged to donate new backpacks and school supplies to the agency during the month of August. Volunteer opportunities are available for this event.
Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive:
Date: September through November
Location: ACSNJ Main Office and various collection locations.
The Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive provides a generous food basket filled with Thanksgiving themed items to nearly 200 ACSNJ clients and their families. Eligible families are those who receive food bank deliveries through ACSNJ or others in great financial need. Client need is determined through our Medical Case Managers. This event takes place annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and volunteers and donors provide all goods and services for the event. This includes making baskets, donating gift cards, running small non-perishable food drives, packing baskets and delivering baskets. Many volunteers and donors are needed to assist starting in October each year. Volunteer opportunities are available for this event.
Children’s Holiday Party:
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
The Children’s Holiday Party is a fun filled event that provides gifts to children affected by HIV/AIDS. Each child submits a personalized wishlist and receives at least three gifts. All gifts are provided to those who cannot afford traditional holiday celebrations. Volunteering for this event is especially rewarding for many participants as this occurs during the holiday season. Nearly 300 agency clients and their children attend the annual party each December and all sincerely appreciate the efforts of all involved.
Opportunities to help include preparing arts and crafts, leading small fundraisers for the event, helping to recruit donors to sponsor children, participating in gift wrapping nights and volunteering the day of the event. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to help out, but those under age 16 must have a parent or guardian accompany them. Volunteer opportunities are available for this event.
For more information regarding how you can help to support one or more of our Family First Events please contact the Events/Volunteer Coordinator at (856) 933-9500 ext 204 or click here.