Make A Difference For Chatham Families During The Holidays With These Fundraisers

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham’s “Helping Hands” group is already at work, gearing up to help those who need a helping hand themselves into the holiday season.

Beginning in October, as part of “Tackling Hunger Month,” Helping Hands of Chatham has several fundraisers coming up to provide for children and families in the community who are food insecure and have other needs.

The group shared statistics that 1 in 6 people in the country are battling food insecurity.

Here are some month-by-month opportunities for the community to chip in and help the group on their mission through the end of the year.

October

• Oct. 18 - The group’s Winter Wear and Coat Drive starts
• Oct. 31 - 2nd Annual Cougars Halloween 6K Run or Walk and House Decorating Contest - for $25 to sign up as a virtual runner or walker; or $25 for a Madison or Chatham resident to decorate their home, donations help the group to help children and families in the community.
• Halloween 6K Run or Walk - dress up in costume while walking or running in your own virtual race.
• Home Decorating - The “Monster Masher” Judges will come around to look for the home with the scariest appearance, best effects or best overall theme on Oct. 29 and 30. Each of the winners in the three categories will walk away with a local restaurant gift card. Deadline to enter is Oct. 25.
• Payments to enter the Run or Walk or the House Decorating contest for $25 each, should be made to Venmo @JoannCarroll (201-988-9070 - gjcarroll@optonline.net); QuickPay with Zelle at redroad14@optonline.net. To obtain a mailing address and more information to send cash or checks, call or text Joann at 201-988—9070.
• See more about the race and home decorating here.
• To volunteer for the event, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aba629a1fcc70-2ndannual.

November
Helping Hands will start collecting Thanksgiving Turkeys and distribute them to families in need in the area on Nov. 17 and 24.

December
Holiday Blessing Bags - sponsor a family in need over the holiday season and help to make their holidays possible with a Holiday Blessing Bag, distributed by Helping Hands, during the weeks of Dec. 6 and 13.

To volunteer or for questions about the upcoming fundraisers, contact: HelpingHandsofChatham@gmail.com.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.