🌱 Patch AM: Children's Books, Pajamas Needed For Families Throughout Union County

Greetings Cranford! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Cranford pajama and book drive seeks donations for kids in need
• How are tariffs pushing Cranford’s National Tree Co. beyond China?
• How Union County families can get free one-on-one financial guidance

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 46 and low of 23 degrees.
• Friday: Colder; afternoon snow, temps: high: 31, low: 25.
• Saturday: An icy mix in the a.m.; cold, with a high of 31 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Children's Books, Pajamas Needed For Families Throughout Union County (patch.com) — Cranford’s A&W Chiropractic Center is collecting new children’s pajamas and books for families in need through its annual Beyond Bedtime holiday drive. Donations, including Venmo contributions, are accepted at the North Avenue office and then distributed to shelters across the region, giving Cranford residents a direct way to support vulnerable kids this season.
   

2. Americans like artificial Christmas trees even though few are made in US and prices are up (cleveland.com) — A Cranford-based company, National Tree Co., is navigating rising tariffs and shifting some artificial Christmas tree production from China to Cambodia as Americans increasingly favor fake trees. The story explains how global labor costs, trade policies, and price-sensitive shoppers are driving where and how those trees are made, even as demand softens in the U.S.
   

3. $20K Grant, Financial Planning Resources To Benefit Union County Youth (patch.com) — Union County families, including those in Cranford, can tap new financial literacy dinners and one-on-one guidance offered through Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey with support from a $20,000 Citizens Bank grant. The informal sessions cover homeownership, savings, banking basics, and college prep, with kid-friendly activities and giveaways. Dates vary by clubhouse, so residents should check the organization’s website for details.
   

4. The National Herald's Top Articles of 2025 (thenationalherald.com) — Cranford readers are briefly mentioned in a heartbreaking highlight: a top-read story about a Greek-American teen who died alongside a classmate in what’s described as a Cranford tragedy. The broader piece is a year-end roundup of The National Herald’s most-clicked articles, ranging from church controversies to international Greek news and notable obituaries.
   

📸 Around Cranford

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Cranford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
  First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, NJ , 11 Springfield Ave , Cranford
  8:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Matawan Regional (Home)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• SHOULDA 12:00-6:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford
• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Rumson (Away)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:00 pm

Monday December 29

• SHOULDA 7:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford

Wednesday December 31

• NEW YEARS EVE
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford

Thursday January 1

• NEW YEARS DAY
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford

Friday January 2

• Ice Hockey: Boys Developmental vs. Montclair (Home)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:40 pm

Sunday January 4

• SHOULDA 12:00-6:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford

📣 Cranford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day - Municipal Building Closed
  Union Township, NJ Calendar Union, NJ 07083
  8:30 am
• Christmas Friendship Dinner
  Woodbridge Township, NJ Calendar
  1:00 pm
• Thurs 9:15am Yoga Flow (all levels)
  313 South Ave , Fanwood
  2:15 pm

Friday December 26

• School Closed [Frank K Hehnly Elementary School] [Public calendar]
  Frank K Hehnly Elementary School Clark, NJ 07066

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Cranford PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Orange Mattress — (732) 428-4125
  Call or Stop by for Daily Deals
• Omega Maintenance Facilities & Janitorial Services — (908) 282-4482
  Hurry - November Savings 20% Discount for All New Accounts!
• Dogtopia of Union — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A serious crash on I-78 Westbound near Exit 41 in Berkeley Heights caused all lanes to be closed and major delays.
  5:14PM on Dec 23: A serious crash brought all traffic to a standstill on Tuesday evening, December 23, in Berkeley Heights, with all lanes closed at… (Nextdoor )
• Report of police activity in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.
  1:51PM on Dec 23: Police activity at Mountain Ave & Diamond Hill Rd, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, per local source (Nextdoor )

• Cranford Public Schools posted a job opening for Custodian - Substitute in Cranford. Apply here.
• The Guitar Center posted a job opening for Music Teacher Store 821 in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cranford here.

Ok Cranford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook