Caldwell Tenants, Businesses Collect Gifts for Kids and Seniors in Need

Caldwell kids and senior citizens in need had a very Merry Christmas thanks to the generous toy and clothing donations collected by the tenants of Carlyle Towers.

The tenants at Carlyle Towers, located at 512 Bloomfield Ave. in Caldwell, were eager to participate in the collection, which helped families with children in the Caldwell community ensure they have a cheerful and happy holiday.

Requests by the children for some of this season’s most exciting toys were met happily and generously by the kind and caring tenants. Winter clothing was also high on the list of requests and met with the same enthusiasm of giving.

The Seniors of Caldwell were also included in this effort. Through the generosity of our surrounding business communities, where all the residents of Caldwell frequently shop, Seniors were provided with small holiday treat bags filled with coffee, tea, sparkling cider, Panettone cakes, decorative holiday cookies and candy.

Extra holiday cheer came in the form of additional toys, crafts, coloring books, boxes of candy canes and beautiful poinsettia plants. These were donated by the following merchants: Manager Frank Fearson and his dedicated customer service staff at The Home Depot in Pine Brook/Montville and our long time supporter, Linda Arroyo, Manger at Walgreen’s in West Caldwell. They were the first to give so generously to the “The Christmas Cheer Collection” effort. Their contributions helped kick off this season of giving.

“We want to express our appreciation and thanks to each of the merchants who cheerfully participated – many of whom have been past supporters and contributors, while others were new comers this year,” Caldwell Mayor Ann Dassing said.

How You Can Give Back

As always, much needed replenishment of the Food Pantry’s most necessary items such as; kid friendly foods, personal care products, toiletries and paper goods were also provided by the tenants of 502, 507, and 513 Bloomfield Ave. in Caldwell.

“Each and every contributor helped to make the children and seniors of Caldwell smile,” Dassing added. “In the spirit of the season the Caldwell Mayor’s office and Human Services also send out a big hug with a heartfelt thank-you to our friends at Carlyle Towers (512), the tenants at 501 and 507, all of the merchants solicited and their compassionate employees, some of whom also gave personally. Every donation received this year made it a very Happy Holiday for all.”

Mayor Dassing noted that the following individuals and businesses contributed to the donation efforts:

Manager Sydney Barnes at Sears Hardware - West Caldwell, Manager Sal Marconi at Stop N Shop - West Caldwell, Manager Brian Durand at Jack’s Foodtown - Caldwell, Manager Scott Emerson at Shop Rite of West Caldwell, Jeanne CSR Managerat Kings Food Markets - Verona, The Corrado Family, Corrado’s Market - Fairfield, Manager Hope Hardy at TJMaxx - West Caldwell, Manager Gary Walton at Radio Shack - Verona, Manager Brian Calderio at Harmon’s - West Caldwell, and Asst. Store Manager Marc Flasher at Walmart - Boonton for the generous toy discount.

Who’s Who in the Photo Gallery

1) Linda Arroyo, Manager of Walgreens in West Caldwell, donated toys pictured here, as well as 75 coloring books and 200 candy canes.

2) Frank Fearson, Manager of Home Depot, donated 3 rocking horses, 12 poinsettia plants and 3 children’s craft kits.

3) The 2014 Toy, Clothing and Food Drive resulted in many wonderful holiday gifts for the less fortunate this season